‘Paragraph 55’ refers to the exemption clause set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which states that local planning authorities should avoid new isolated homes in the countryside unless there are special circumstances such as the exceptional quality or innovative nature of the proposal.
Paragraph 55 states that such a design should:
– be truly outstanding or innovative, helping to raise standards of design more generally in rural areas;
– reflect the highest standards in architecture;
– significantly enhance its immediate setting; and
– be sensitive to the defining characteristics of the local area.
On Wednesday the Grain House was deemed to have met these exacting standards and was awarded planning permission from Horsham District Council, with support from the independent Design South East Review Panel. Studio Bark are establishing a proven track record with Paragraph 55 and have now had five homes approved through this route with a number of other exciting projects in the pipeline.
The Grain House is a multi-generational family home and a truly landscape driven piece of architecture. The sculptural form and orientation of the monolithic walls takes influence from historic ox-ploughed ‘ridge and furrow’ field patterns, as well as the ridge and valley land forms that characterise the area. To find out more about the Grain House please see our project page.
Our other approved Paragraph 55 projects are Periscope House, The Black Barn, Orchard House and Pivot House.
