Planning Knowledge

HO11 succeeds Paragraph 84 within the National Planning Policy Framework, continuing the exceptional opportunity to build isolated new homes in the English countryside. While the policy reference has changed, its architectural test remains: homes must be truly outstanding, reflect the highest standards in architecture, raise standards of rural design and significantly enhance their immediate setting.

Paragraph 84 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) succeeded Paragraph 80, continuing the exceptional circumstances in which isolated new homes could be built in the countryside. Its demanding design test required homes to be truly outstanding, reflect the highest standards in architecture and significantly enhance their immediate setting.

Paragraph 80 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) continued the opportunity to secure planning permission for isolated homes in the countryside in exceptional circumstances. The policy required proposals to demonstrate truly outstanding design, reflecting the highest standards in architecture and significantly enhancing their immediate rural setting.

In July 2018, the Government published a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The provision for exceptional new homes in isolated countryside locations moved to Paragraph 79, retaining the requirement for truly outstanding or innovative design while continuing the evolution of national planning policy for exceptional rural homes.

In March 2012, the Government introduced the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), replacing PPS7. Paragraph 55 retained the exceptional circumstances allowing isolated new homes in the countryside where the design was truly outstanding or innovative, continuing an important route to planning permission for exceptional rural architecture.

Planning Policy Statement 7 (PPS7) established national planning policy for sustainable development in rural areas. Crucially, PPS7 retained the opportunity for isolated new homes in the countryside where the design was truly outstanding and innovative, helping establish the architectural principles that continue within national planning policy today.

Gummer’s Law traces its origins to 1997, when Environment Secretary John Gummer introduced Planning Policy Guidance 7 (PPG7). For the first time, national planning policy created a route for exceptional new homes in the open countryside where proposals demonstrated truly outstanding architectural and landscape design.