Design Guidelines

Introduction
The two principal regulatory bodies controlling development within Fort Jeudy are the Fort Jeudy Association (FJA, a.ka. "Association") and the Physical Planning Unit (PPU). Building work cannot commence without approval from both of them.

We suggest that you approach the Association first. The Association is concerned mostly about the overall design and how that relates to other residents, plots, the local infrastructure and Fort Jeudy as a whole. Consequently the Association is able to process applications quickly which makes this possible early in the design process. In addition, the Association's Building Committee welcomes informal discussion prior to finalising design.

The PPU, though concerned with overall design matters, is required to check a wealth of detail. An application to the PPU cannot be made without expending substantial professional effort with the inevitable time and cost that entails. The time taken by the PPU to determine application can be considerable. We would be saddened to return you to the beginning of that process should the Association require alterations to your proposals.
 

Some suggestions to facilitate the process:

1. Appointment of Professionals
   Select professional advisors that are not only appropriately qualified and experienced but understanding of your needs and the style that you want. You will normally need an Architect and Structural Engineer. You may wish to have a Quantity Surveyor and your Architect should be able to advise you on this. Check that the Architect you select will be producing designs in an accurate 3D form (model or CAD visualisations).
    
2. Topographical Survey
   Fort Jeudy has very few flat sites. Most slope, sometimes alarmingly. A topographical survey is virtually essential for design purposes and is a requirement of the Association unless your site is one of the rare flat ones. We will advise if requested. We suggest that the survey be done by one of the island’s Surveyors. The Association requires accurate representation of how the building sits on your site in 3 dimensions.
    

Factors that should be considered:

1. The house in relation to the site
   Fort Jeudy has a number of environments ranging from wide horizons on the Point to wooded hillsides via the various waterfronts. The overall feel is one of natural landscape. We are charged with conserving this. Naturally you will be concerned with the view, breeze, shade and where the rain comes from. We are concerned with how your house will impinge on the Fort Jeudy landscape and your neighbours, current or future. Your design should relate to the size of the site, to the slope and respect views from other plots, roads and from a distance.
    
2. Privacy, Overlooking and Noise
   The location of the house within the site and the location of windows, verandas, swimming pools can adversely affect neighbours. Arrange your accommodation with an appropriate regard to other houses and plots. Life in the tropics is one of open air, open windows and overhearing.
    
3. Landscaping
   The Association requires that landscaping proposals (hard and soft) are included with the application.
   
   Any proposed fences or retaining are to be shown in detail.
   
   The landscaping design can help with problems that may occur with privacy and overlooking.
   
   Though there is little history of crime in Fort Jeudy we suggest that you consider designing-in crime prevention, not only within the house design but particularly in the landscape design. Bolting-on alarms as a last resort is rarely a satisfactory solution. For example, avoid creating places that are hidden from view where miscreants can set about their business unnoticed. Your Architect should be able to advise.
    
4. Use of Existing Site Levels
   As stated above, there is little flat land in Fort Jeudy. Building designs should recognise this and work with the existing slope. It is impossible for the Association to give rules and numbers about what will and will not be permitted. We are looking for good design that avoids bulky projections above the existing site surface and wholesale alterations to the topography. Houses raised on columns will not be approved nor will excavation to create a flat site out of a sloping one.
    
5. Septic Tank and Soakaway
   The PPU will require you to provide details of the function of the Septic Tank and soakaway/tile field. We require simply the general location in relation to boundaries and the slope of the land. We also require a statement on how it will be emptied when required.
   
   If you intend to recycle the outflow for garden irrigation we will require details
    
6. Rainwater run-off
   Constructing a building will change the way that rainwater impinges on the immediate vicinity. Details are required of rainwater management from the following: Roofs, Verandas and Terraces, Hard landscaped areas, Existing surface water channels
   
   If you propose rainwater collection and storage we require details.
    
7. Services
   
   Please consider the positions of the following in relation to the above points and show on application drawings: Generator position, Gas bottle position, Water tank position, Refuse storage, Refuse collection point, Electricity supply, Meter position
    
8. Vehicles, Roads and Parking
   Vehicular access to some plots is difficult. The Association cannot lay down hard and fast rules but good design and good practice should be applied to the following: Gradient, Junction with existing road both in plan and section, Visibility from and to the junction for safety, Visitor parking, Parking / Garaging,  Road drains – new and existing
    
9. Swimming Pool
   If you plan a pool it should be located with regard to the points above. Consider the requirements for overflow, emptying and access for cleaning.
   
   Pool storage/surge tanks should be shown on the application
    
10. External Lighting
    Any external lighting should be considered at design stage and integrated into the overall. Details of all proposed external lighting is required.
     

Construction Requirements
The covenants applicable to the Lots in our Development allow the construction of one private dwelling house on each Lot. For clarity, and to ensure compliance with the covenant, the following conditions must be met for any proposed construction to be considered a private dwelling house: