Magee design guide published

A DESIGN guide encouraging developers to preserve or enhance the special character and appearance of Magee and its setting when undertaking work in the vicinity of the historic college has been published and is out for consultation until March 22.

The Department of the Environment (DoE) designated the area around the University of Ulster at Magee as a Conservation Area in June 2006.

Consequently the Magee Conservation Area Team at the Londonderry Planning Service has produced a detailed document entitled "A Design Guide for the Magee Conservation Area (Draft)" and is inviting members of the public to comment over the next few weeks.

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The 128 page guide acknowledges the special character of the Magee Conservation Area pointing to listed buildings at Magee itself, Old Foyle College, Claremont Presbyterian Church, Carrickmore House, Aberfoyle House, Duncreggan House in Foyle and Londonderry College, Old Tech (NWRC) and on Aberfoyle Terrace, Clarence Avenue, College Terrace and the Northland Road.

It also refers to the city's unique setting on the River Foyle and sets out how architects, builders and planners should set out to protect the areas unique character, blend the old with the new, developing excellent open spaces and creating a great place in which to live work and visit.

The guide was partly inspired by ideas developed from a Public Workshop, held in February, 2008, in the City Hotel.

The workshop looked at some leading examples of best practice when it came to preserving local built heritage whilst moving forward.

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Budapest's mixture of old and new, Venice's perfectly preserved medieval and modern architecture and Gaudi's iconic buildings in Barcelona were all raised at the workshop.

But the draft guide published by the Planning Office gives practical advice to those working in the area of the university.

It reads: "Every city needs a recognisable hierarchy of streets along which buildings can take their place and within which activities (both internal and external) can take place.

"Successful cities have great richness and vitality in their street life. A road is just something that facilitates traffic movement. Streets are about much more.

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"They are outside rooms where people can walk, talk and play safely. The Magee Conservation Area already has some great streets. They contribute a lot to the complexity of the city and require managed support to retain their stability and vitality."

The guides also discourages the use of PVC windows and the inappropriate placement of fire escapes, satellite dishes, signage and other additions to old buildings.

It states that shop fronts and cafs can be used to enhance the area.