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Planning SA

Government

of South Australia

good design

Site analysis is a major step in thedesign and assessment of resident-

ial development and is a critical

component of the performanceapproach.

It is the single most important step likely to result inbetter development outcomes, fewer objections by

neighbours and reduced approval times.

The site analysis establishes the development

context. It is a process by which local influences on

a site are assessed and used to help generate a

design proposal. It should be completed before a

detailed design is drafted.

The analysis:

shapes and refines the eventual design of a

development

helps identify constraints and opportunities,both on and off site

assists communication with the local Council

and neighbours

helps all parties involved to understand the

influences on design and the reasons for

design choices.

What is a site analysis?The site analysis will generally comprise an

annotated drawing and, in more complex projects or

circumstances, may also include a brief written

report to the Council on key design issues and

choices.

The site analysis identifies the design issues

relevant to the project. The process of determining

the most important design issues is called weighting

and should be carried out as part of pre-design

discussions with Council staff and any neighbours

who are affected.

The weighting process is necessary because,

especially with more complex projects, it may not be

possible to satisfy all the relevant principles. The

site analysis, in conjunction with consultation with

the Council, should assist this process of identifying

the most important design issues for a particular

site.

The simplest level of site analysis will apply to a

detached single story house on a relatively flat site.

In such a situation it may be necessary only to

identify such elements as:

any features on adjoining properties that may

influence the design or siting of the house.

These could include tall evergreen trees that

may block the sun, the potential to be

overlooked by a neighbouring house, the

location of driveways and garages, or potential

sources of noise.

Siteanalysis- getting it right from the start

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For furtherinformation:

Planning SAPlanning Services

5th Floor Roma Mitchell

House, 136 North Tce

Adelaide 5000phone 8303 0725or 8303 0763

Or contact yourlocal Council

check out:www.planning.sa.gov.au/gooddesign

on-site features that provide opportunities or

constraints, such as orientation of the

allotment, drainage, trees, views or soil types.

At a more complex level, if the site is an infill site in

an area with special residential or streetscape

character, it may be necessary to demonstrate the

visual and functional impact the infill development

will have on the established streetscape. Two storey

projects will also need to address privacy,

overshadowing and overlooking considerations

more carefully.

The benefits of site analysis

The site analysis provides benefits to the developer

or designer, the Council, neighbours and nearby

residents and benefits the development itself.

It does this by:

encouraging good site responsive design

identifying potential concerns of neighbours

and nearby residents

giving the development a better chance of

fitting in with the neighbourhood character

helping to minimise conflict between

developer, Council and neighbours

helping to reduce delays by clearly

communicating the rationale behind a

particular design response.

A site analysis should include some or all of the

following details, determined by the nature of the

development, the size of the site and the

surrounding context. Councils will be able to

advise on the level of detail required. Only

reasonable attempts to identify the elements in

the neighbourhood checklist should be

undertaken. Matters that cannot be determined

can be assessed by Council staff.

good design

Planning SA FIS 21431

May 2000

Site analysis checklist:

contours and existing vegetation

views to and from the site

existing drainage, services and

easements

contaminated soils and filled areas

buildings, especially any that should be

retained

access and connection points

orientation and microclimate

noise sources

fences (existing and proposed),

boundaries and easements

Surrounding neighbourhoodchecklist:

location and use of adjacent and nearby

buildings

views and solar access enjoyed by

adjacent residents

street frontage features such as service

poles, street trees, kerb crossovers, bus

stops and other services

built form and character of adjacent and

nearby development, including

characteristic fencing and garden styles

direction to and distances from local

shops, schools, public transport, parks

and community facilities

abutting private open spaces and

habitable room windows overlooking the

site

major trees on adjacent properties

characteristics of any adjacent public

open space

location and height of walls built to thesites boundary

any difference in levels between the site

and adjacent properties.

Other GoodDesign-Better

Living FactSheets

An introduction to

Good Residential

Design SA

Design a home for

better living

Conserving energy...

and money!

Residential Policy -

building a clearer

framework fordevelopment

assessment

The performance

approach - a quick

guide

How to choose or

design your ideal

home

Fitting in with the

neighbours some

design tips for new

housing in

established areas

L O C A L

G O V E R N M E N T

A S S O C I A T I O N

OF S OUTH A US TR A L I A