Manor house designs: everything you need to know

If you’re planning to construct or renovate a manor house, we expect that you’re probably a bit confused about the process of its construction. Manor houses are regal, beautiful and a coveted mix of country and city, making it the envy of any homeowner. However, in Australia, manor homes remain a mystery, with many Aussies …

22 October, 2020
Manor house designs: everything you need to know

If you’re planning to construct or renovate a manor house, we expect that you’re probably a bit confused about the process of its construction. Manor houses are regal, beautiful and a coveted mix of country and city, making it the envy of any homeowner. However, in Australia, manor homes remain a mystery, with many Aussies not understanding the characteristics that set manor homes apart from others, in addition to what makes them unique.

What is a manor house?

Manor houses are not common in Australia, making the term unfamiliar for many. A manor house is a single building that consists of three or four dwellings on one lot. It is a new addition to the Standard Instrument (Local Environmental Plans) Amendment (Low Rise Medium Density Housing) Order 2017. A manor house can be up to two storeys in height (not including the basement). Each dwelling must be attached by a common wall or floor and, depending on the layout and design of the property, one dwelling will be partially or wholly located above another dwelling. According to legislation, manor houses are allowed wherever multi-dwelling housing is permitted in the Land Use Table.

Now that you understand what a manor house, we can now explore what the approval requirements for a manor house are.

Who is a manor house best suited for?

As mentioned above, a manor house contains three or four dwellings, each with its own entrance and amenities. This makes it ideal for any person in search of an income-generating property. A manor house allows the owner to comfortably rent three to four of its dwellings, giving the owner a substantial income.

What are the minimum requirements for a manor house design in Sydney?

For approval processes, minimum standards apply for all low rise medium density dwellings, including manor houses. However, specifically, in the case of manor houses, the following standards apply.

  • The minimum lot size for a manor house is 600m².
  • The minimum lot width is 15 metres.
  • The maximum gross floor area for all buildings is 25% of the lot area, plus 150m² to a maximum of 400m².
  • The minimum landscaped area is 50% of the lot area minus 100m², 50% of the area forward of the building to be landscaped, and 1.5 metres in length and width.
  • There must be one off-street parking space for each dwelling.

If no residential accommodation is within 40 metres of the development, then a manor house design’s primary road setback can be the following according to its area size:

  • 4.5 metres for 400m² – 900m²,
  • 6.5 metres for 900m² – 1,500m², and
  • 10 metres for properties over 1,500m².

If the location of a manor house has an existing residential accommodation on the same side of the road, and within 40m of the development, then its primary road setback is calculated as the average of the two closest residential accommodation buildings.

  • The properties must have a side setback of 1.5 metres.

Rear setback depends on the size of the property and building height.

  • For properties up to 4.5 metres in height, the rear setback varies from 6 metres for properties 400m²–1,500m², up to 10 metres for those properties greater than 1,500m².
  • Dwellings measuring 4.5 metres in height up to 8.5 metres, require a 10-metre setback if the lot area is between 400m²–1,500m² and a 15-metre setback if the building height is between 4.5 metres and 8.5 metres.

At ES Design, our team will work with you to ensure that every measure is taken to guarantee the success of your dream home. With personalised attention and advice from a team with decades of experience, rest easy knowing that your luxury home design will reflect your personality, needs and requirements. To find out more about our services, call us on 0460 000 000.

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