Montpelier Place Architectural Conservation Area Character Appraisal MONTPELIER PLACE ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION AREA MARCH 2013 Preface "The assessment of the special character of Montpelier Place Architectural Conservation Area was commissioned by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and was carried out in 2011 by Lotts Architecture and Urbanism. The Character Appraisal, which includes an edited version of the special character report, was prepared by the Conservation Division and Planning Department of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council." 1 MONTPELIER PLACE ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION AREA MARCH 2013 1.0 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5 1.1 Aim of Study………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5 1.2 Architectural Conservation Areas………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6 1.3 Location and Topography of proposed ACA………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7 1.4 Extent of Proposed ACA……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7 1.4.1 Reasons for Expansion of Candidate ACA…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7 1.5 Protected Structures and Land-Use Zoning Objectives within the Proposed ACA…………………………………………………………………… 8 2.0 Historical Development of the Area……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8 2.1 Origins and Medieval Period………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 8 2.2 Seventeenth and Eighteenth Century………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8 2.3 Nineteenth Century…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9 2.4 Twentieth Century………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12 3.0 Description of the Historic Built Environment…………………………………………………………………………………………. 13 3.1 Defining Characteristics……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 13 3.2 Natural Features…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 13 3.3 Layout…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 13 3.4 Socio-Economic Functions………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 14 3.5 Building Types……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 14 3.6 Materials and Architectural Details……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 14 3.6.1 Roofs……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 14 2 MONTPELIER PLACE ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION AREA MARCH 2013 3.6.2 Elevations……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 15 3.6.3 Boundary Treatment…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 15 3.6.4 Windows and Doors……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 15 3.6.5 Open Space and Boundaries………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 15 3.6.6 Street Features…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 17 3.6.7 Gardens………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 17 3.6.8 Views…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 18 4.0 Significance of the Proposed ACA………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 19 4.1 Urban Design Significance………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 19 4.2 Architectural Significance…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 20 4.3 Historical Significance…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 20 4.4 Social Heritage Significance……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 20 4.6 Landscape Significance………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 20 5.0 Implications for Planning and Development…………………………………………………………………………………………… 20 5.1 Implications of ACA Designation………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 21 5.2 Public Domain……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 22 6.0 De-Exempted Development within the ACA……………………………………………………………………………………………. 22 6.1 Guidance for New Development Works……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 23 6.1.2 Roofs……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 23 6.1.3 External Walls……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 24 6.1.4 Windows and Doors……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 25 3 MONTPELIER PLACE ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION AREA MARCH 2013 6.1.5 Shopfront…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 25 6.1.6 New Build Interventions……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 25 6.1.7 Amalgamation of Properties or Sites…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 26 6.1.8 Internal Alterations…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 26 6.1.9 Demolition…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 26 6.1.10 Boundary Treatments…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 26 6.2 Works to Public Realm…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 27 6.2.1 Historic Paving and Street Furniture………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 27 6.2.2 Wires and Distribution Poles………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 27 7.0 Policy Objectives………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 27 8.0 Bibliography………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 30 Appendices 1.0 Map of Proposed ACA 4 MONTPELIER PLACE ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION AREA MARCH 2013 1.0 Introduction enhance an area and provides an element of control over the external appearance of buildings which make a positive Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown contains a number of areas, which contribution to the character of the area. Planning controls are exhibit a distinct character and unique qualities based on their more extensive with exempted development limited. Any works historic built form and layout. This character is often derived that in the opinion of the Planning Authority would have a from the cumulative impact of an area’s buildings, their setting, material effect on the character of an ACA require planning landscape and other locally important features developed permission. gradually over time. These areas are an expression of our Retaining the special character of an area is best achieved by heritage and our identity and contribute significantly to the managing and guiding change on a wider scale than the quality of our lives. These areas will continue to develop and individual structure. Hence, the objective of the ACA designation change but their special character is of great value and worthy is to guide change within an area and ensure future of protection. development is carried out in a manner sympathetic to its The Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides special character. the legislative basis for the protection of such areas by It should be noted that ACA designation is distinct from facilitating their designation as Architectural Conservation Areas designation as a protected structure, although Protected or ACAs. Structures may be located within an ACA area. Protected Under Part IV of this Act, an ACA is defined as a place, area, Structures are subject to separate procedures and requirements group of structures or townscape, taking account of building under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. lines and heights, that: 1.1 Aim of study • is of special architectural, historical, archaeological, A number of Conservation Areas were identified in the previous artistic, cultural, social or technical interest or value, or, County Development Plan. These have now been assigned • contributes to the appreciation of Protected Structures. ‘Candidate Architectural Conservation Area’ status under the 2010 - 2016 Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Development A wide variety of areas can be considered for designation as an Plan. Section 11.3.13. Policy AR10: Candidate Architectural ACA. For example, an ACA could be centred on an individual Conservation Areas states that: building or a terrace of houses and it may be rural or urban. ACA designation forms the basis for policies to preserve or 5 MONTPELIER PLACE ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION AREA MARCH 2013 “A number of Conservation Areas were identified in the special character of places or groups which it designates as previous County Development Plan. The Council is ACAs. committed to assessing these areas to determine if they Chapter 3 of the Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for meet the requirements and criteria for re-designation as Local Authorities published in 2004 by the Department of Architectural Conservation Areas as set out in the Environment, Heritage and Local Government sets out how an Planning and Development Act, 2000 and the Department Architectural Conservation Area should be identified and of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government’s evaluated and how it should be protected through planning ‘Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning legislation. Section 3.2.3 lists the types of ensembles which can Authorities’.” be considered for designation as an ACA. Amongst these types are ‘groups of structures of distinctiveness The primary aim of this study is to: or visual richness or historical importance’. The area which is the subject of this document falls under this category. • identify the special character of the proposed Montpelier Place ACA; • to set out conservation and planning policies which In Section 3.2.2 a list of guidelines are used in identifying protect its special character and which will guide future appropriate areas for protection. In the case of Montpelier Place development; the following apply: • to inform owners/occupiers and developers of the type of work that would require planning permission. a) Groups of structures of distinctiveness or visual richness or historical importance; 1.2 Architectural Conservation Areas b) The setting and exterior appearance of structures that are of special interest, but the interiors of which do not An Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) is a place, area, group merit protection. of structures or townscape that is of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or Historically, Montpelier Place is one of a number of technical interest. developments from the same period in the area that includes The Planning and Development Act 2000 introduced the ACA to the nearby Montpelier Parade on the Monkstown Road that are Irish planning legislation. Under the Act, a local authority must also contained within a designated ACA. include an objective in its development plans to preserve the 6 MONTPELIER PLACE ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION AREA MARCH 2013 1.3 Location and Topography of proposed ACA Mount Temple house and ground play a significant role in defining the boundary and entrance to the ACA as well Montpelier Place is located off the Stradbrook Road which contrasting in the role of stand-alone villa with the terrace of continues as Temple Hill Road to Blackrock in the west and houses in Montpelier Place. southeast to Monkstown and Deansgrange. The Monkstown Road branches off Stradbrook Road north of Montpelier Place 1.4 Extent of Proposed ACA and continues eastwards to Monkstown. Montpelier Place is Having made the study of the candidate ACA, it is proposed to therefore situated in the triangular space between Monkstown amend the boundary to include the rear grounds to Mount and Stradbrook Roads and lies parallel to the former. The Temple House and No’s 4 and 5 Montpelier Place. topography of Montpelier Place slopes gently down to the south west meaning that it slopes up when approaching from Stradbrook Road. 1.4.1 Reasons for expansion of Candidate ACA Montpelier Place today forms an architectural group which is quite distinct from its urban surroundings. The core Section 3.2.5 of the Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines characteristics which determine the significance of the street as for Local Authorities states that “the boundaries of a candidate a heritage site are architectural, historical, artistic, cultural, ACA should make physical, visual and planning control sense”, social and technical interest. These attributes relate primarily to and recommends reference to the “core characteristics of the the group of six houses that set an imposing scale. To area in order to establish the most appropriate boundary lines”. adequately protect this ensemble their individual curtilages and The quality of the existing boundary is coherent in terms of the the urban space formed by them must also be included. legibility and representation of the character of the ACA as a The ACA is set in context by its relationship to Stradbrook Road, whole. However, it is proposed to amend the boundary to make the boundaries of the latter are marked with high walls and more physical sense by adding the full curtilage of the following gates that open to reveal Montpelier Place. The Friends Burial properties. (See Drawing No. 12-658 contained in Appendix 1) Ground, another proposed ACA, is situated on the west side of • The full extent of the rear grounds to the former the road. The presence of trees to one end of Montpelier Place outbuildings to Mount Temple House (Nos. 1 & 2 The and the trees in the Friends Burial Ground to the west play an Stables) that are located behind and northeast of the important role in closing the significant views within and beyond gate entrance to Mount Temple from Montpelier Place. the ACA. • The full extent of the rear grounds to Nos. 4 and 5 Montpelier Place. 7 MONTPELIER PLACE ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION AREA MARCH 2013 1.5 Protected Structures & Land Use Zoning Objectives 2.0 Historical Development of the Area within the Proposed ACA. 2.1 Origins and medieval period None of the dwellings within the Montpelier Place Architectural There is little mention in early documents of the area that was Conservation Area are included in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown to become Montpelier Place. Nearby Monkstown, according to County Council Record of Protected Structures (RPS). Lewis’s Topographical Dictionary, probably derived its name There are also no archaeological sites, features or artefacts from an ancient grange that belonged to the priory of the Holy listed in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) within the Trinity, Dublin. Montpelier Place ACA. 2.2 Seventeenth and eighteenth century This part of the countryside outside Dublin was sought after as a The 2010-2016 Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Development place to reside close to the sea beyond the city, even before the Plan sets out the zoning objective for the area in which the arrival of the railway in 1834. In her book ‘Landscape Design in proposed Montpelier Place ACA is located. Eighteenth-Century Ireland’ Finola O’Kane describes how Emily Save for the access road serving Montpelier Place, the proposed and James Fitzgerald, first Duke and Duchess of Leinster, ACA is zoned Objective A, which has a stated objective “To decided to purchase the house and land in 1766 of Frascati in protect and improve residential amenity”. the Dublin suburb of Blackrock. O’Kane remarks that sea- bathing and exploiting sea views possibly influenced the choice The graveyard of the Society of Friends that lies south west of of location. The seaside location relieved the Fitzgeralds of their Montpelier Place on the opposite side of the Stradbrook Road is duties on their large country estates and pressures of publicity a candidate ACA and is zoned Objective F: “To preserve and in town. In the mid-eighteenth century the country was seen a provide for open space with ancillary active recreational refuge from the vice of the city and advantageous to the health amenities”. and education of children. O’Kane also describes how Louisa Conolly (of Carton in Co.Kildare) bought a property near the Fitzgeralds and how these smaller properties offered a sense of intimacy and immediacy not found at their very large country estates. In ‘Between the Mountains and the Sea’ Peter Pearson comments that in this period of the development of residential 8 MONTPELIER PLACE ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION AREA MARCH 2013 Monkstown there were few buildings between ‘Dunlary’ and 2.3 Nineteenth century Blackrock except for some large houses near Newtown and Pearson states that the first large change to the area occurred Blackrock itself. John Rocque’s map of 1760 indicates a house with the building of Montpelier Parade around 1800 taking and grounds named Montpellier sited in open countryside. The advantage of views to the sea from its elevated site. The grounds to the west of the house are shown planted with trees parade is shown in an engraving from that time consisting of forming a rectangle grove around which roads from the south Montpelier Parade with two terraces of three storey houses and west are routed. A tree-lined route runs along the north over basements. It was a speculative development by side of the grove and house connecting to Monkstown in the Molesworth Greene and he is listed in the Griffith’s Evaluation east. Another route is indicated leading north from the house as the lessor of most of the seventeen properties. towards Newtown and the coast. Montpelier Parade with Shandon on the right, 1802 (source Peter Pearson; Between the Mountains and the Sea) Extract from John Rocque’s map of the area from 1756 9