Designing a Country House Under
Paragraph 84
For centuries, the English country house
has stood as a symbol of ambition, artistry, and connection to the landscape.
From Palladian villas to Arts & Crafts manors, these homes have always
represented more than shelter: they are cultural landmarks, designed to inspire
and endure.
Today,
Paragraph 84 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets a high
threshold for new homes in the countryside, permitting them only where they are
of exceptional quality. In doing so, it sustains the tradition of the country
house, ensuring that homes built under the policy carry forward the same spirit
of architectural distinction.
What is Paragraph 84 and why does it
matter?
Paragraph 84 is one of the most notable
provisions in national planning policy. While new homes in the countryside are
generally restricted, this policy allows space for designs that are truly
outstanding. It continues the long tradition of the English country house but applies
a contemporary test that demands ecological sensitivity, respect for place, and
architectural ambition.
To gain approval under Paragraph 84, a
proposed home must:
· Be of exceptional architectural
quality, reflecting the highest standards of design
· Enhance its immediate setting,
working in harmony with the landscape
· Respect local character, being
sensitive to the defining features of the area
This policy
sets a high bar, granting permission only to houses of genuine distinction. Its
emphasis on design integrity and responsiveness to context makes it rigorous yet
achievable for those committed to quality. Drawing on extensive experience, we
guide projects through its complexities with confidence, balancing the
technical demands of the policy with the holistic needs of a home. Our proven
record of securing consent and delivering Paragraph 84 houses across the
country reflects that expertise.
Shaping your architectural legacy
Choosing to pursue a Paragraph 84 house is
not simply about gaining permission. It is an opportunity to create a lasting
architectural legacy: a home that enriches its setting, honours the landscapes it
inhabits, and continues the tradition of the English country house in a way
that is unmistakably contemporary.
Achieving this level of quality does not
happen by chance. It requires an architectural team with the sensitivity to
read the nuances of a site, the craftsmanship to translate ideas into enduring
form, and the vision to balance creative expression with environmental stewardship.
We guide the process with care, ensuring that every decision—from materials to
orientation to landscape integration—contributes to a home that is both
sanctuary and landmark.
Our Paragraph 84 houses are contemporary
architecture at its most refined: place‑specific and responsive, where innovation is measured not in novelty
but in how gracefully a building supports the life within it and the
environment around it. The result is dwellings of quiet dignity and timeless
presence, standing as benchmarks for design excellence.
AshrayaBlakeneyBluebell HouseGoose AcreMorcottFoxglove HouseQuintainMavis EnderbyCountry HouseGeary’s HillPond CottageMorcott v1
PARAGRAPH 84 HOUSES