Coalisland developed around the small coalfield that lies between Dungannon and Stewartstown and gained its livelihood from iron, cotton and the linen industries since its establishment as a coal mining centre in the early 17th century. The industrial history of the town is reflected in its development growth. A fragmented pattern of residential estates, terraces and ribbons of housing, interspersed with industrial activities, has been established around the periphery of past and present mineral extraction areas.
Responding to the range and variety of household structure, lifestyles and aspirations of the housing sector, the proposal offers a variety of dwelling typologies formulating a healthy balance and mix of social and private dwellings. These include one and two bedroom apartments, two and three bedroom houses as well as assisted living and wheelchair assessable bungalows. Each new home will be designed to a high level of environmental performance, realising the current BREEAM standard as a minimum.
The proposal has responded to the important role amenity space plays in domestic life by locating it at the ‘heart’ or centre of the design. These spaces have been designed to foster a sense of community and provide open communal space passively surveilled for relaxation and enjoyment, including a safe environment for toddler play. In addition, private garden and threshold spaces to the front and rear of all the homes create enjoyable spaces for the domestic realm and a feeling of openness within the design. Each front door, kitchen window, external seat and planter works in combination with the shared surface to enable the use of the street for inhabitants rather than just the car. The streets act as communal living rooms.
High quality, safe routes and spaces for people on foot are seen as the prime requirement for the site, a less car dependant development due to the proximity of bus services. The principle that has been applied within the development is that of “soft separation” between spaces for vehicles and spaces for people on foot. Vehicles can make use of the extensive car parking provisions, including both in–curtilage and on–street spaces. This means that street surfaces and dwelling thresholds are mostly level with vehicle areas demarcated with street furniture and tree planting rather than kerbs. This shall encourage the freedom of movement to pedestrians, to assist people with a mobility disability, and to create an attractive street scene. The principles of connectivity and creating a rich, sustainable residential environment were thoroughly pursued throughout the design. Other guiding principles included the treatment of ‘height’ within the village and this site, the need for a strong ‘urban landscape structure’ and creating ‘a sense of place with its own identity’.
The proposal shall constitute a fresh approach to housing within the locale, incorporating a domestic and family friendly development in which to live with a strong sense of connection to the mature landscape. We hope the scheme shall be an exemplary model of a reduced car dependant development that encourages low traffic speeds and offers a place where children can play, teens can mingle, and older people can sit and socialise within its parks and shared surfaces. our ambition is to create civilised streets, a place rooted in the assumption that everyone will use common sense and courtesy. The promotion of generous planting, seating and children’s play facilities, meadows and trees, all of which are overlooked and close to residences provides a suitable and safe place to live whilst encourages walking, cycling and public transport use to support healthy and cost efficient lifestyle options.
Coalisland developed around the small coalfield that lies between Dungannon and Stewartstown and gained its livelihood from iron, cotton and the linen industries since its establishment as a coal mining centre in the early 17th century. The industrial history of the town is reflected in its development growth. A fragmented pattern of residential estates, terraces and ribbons of housing, interspersed with industrial activities, has been established around the periphery of past and present mineral extraction areas.
Responding to the range and variety of household structure, lifestyles and aspirations of the housing sector, the proposal offers a variety of dwelling typologies formulating a healthy balance and mix of social and private dwellings. These include one and two bedroom apartments, two and three bedroom houses as well as assisted living and wheelchair assessable bungalows. Each new home will be designed to a high level of environmental performance, realising the current BREEAM standard as a minimum.
The proposal has responded to the important role amenity space plays in domestic life by locating it at the ‘heart’ or centre of the design. These spaces have been designed to foster a sense of community and provide open communal space passively surveilled for relaxation and enjoyment, including a safe environment for toddler play. In addition, private garden and threshold spaces to the front and rear of all the homes create enjoyable spaces for the domestic realm and a feeling of openness within the design. Each front door, kitchen window, external seat and planter works in combination with the shared surface to enable the use of the street for inhabitants rather than just the car. The streets act as communal living rooms.
High quality, safe routes and spaces for people on foot are seen as the prime requirement for the site, a less car dependant development due to the proximity of bus services. The principle that has been applied within the development is that of “soft separation” between spaces for vehicles and spaces for people on foot. Vehicles can make use of the extensive car parking provisions, including both in–curtilage and on–street spaces. This means that street surfaces and dwelling thresholds are mostly level with vehicle areas demarcated with street furniture and tree planting rather than kerbs. This shall encourage the freedom of movement to pedestrians, to assist people with a mobility disability, and to create an attractive street scene. The principles of connectivity and creating a rich, sustainable residential environment were thoroughly pursued throughout the design. Other guiding principles included the treatment of ‘height’ within the village and this site, the need for a strong ‘urban landscape structure’ and creating ‘a sense of place with its own identity’.
The proposal shall constitute a fresh approach to housing within the locale, incorporating a domestic and family friendly development in which to live with a strong sense of connection to the mature landscape. We hope the scheme shall be an exemplary model of a reduced car dependant development that encourages low traffic speeds and offers a place where children can play, teens can mingle, and older people can sit and socialise within its parks and shared surfaces. our ambition is to create civilised streets, a place rooted in the assumption that everyone will use common sense and courtesy. The promotion of generous planting, seating and children’s play facilities, meadows and trees, all of which are overlooked and close to residences provides a suitable and safe place to live whilst encourages walking, cycling and public transport use to support healthy and cost efficient lifestyle options.
