Paragraph 55 of the NPPF allows for exceptional quality or innovative design of buildings in rural areas. It provides criteria for design including being truly outstanding or innovative to help raise standards, reflecting the highest standards in architecture, significantly enhancing the immediate setting, and being sensitive to the local area's characteristics. Case law examples describe designs that were dynamic, organic, sculptural, or high quality being approved, while others that did not fit the landscape or vernacular were denied.

1. NPPF Paragraph 55
"A Grand Design?"
Peter Taylor
DLA Piper
Solicitors
Birmingham
peter.taylor@dla piper.com

2. Background
 Equivalent measure introduced in 1997: PPG 7 paragraph
3.21 "The Gummer Clause "
 PPS 7 paragraph 11
 "Very occasionally the exceptional quality and innovative nature of
the design proposed for an isolated new house may provide the
special justification for granting planning permission…."
 Highest standards in contemporary architecture, materials and
methods of construction
 Outstanding and ground breaking
 Protecting or enhancing environment
 Raising standards of design more generally in rural areas
UKG/14653101 12 December 2012 2

3. NPPF
 Introduced March 2012
 Presumption in favour of sustainable development
 Implementation
 NPPF in general
UKG/14653101 12 December 2012 3

4. NPPF Paragraph 55
 Exceptional quality or innovative nature of the design of the
building. 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
 be sensitive to the defining characteristics of the local area
UKG/14653101 12 December 2012 4

5. Be truly outstanding…
 Be truly outstanding or innovative helping to raise standards of
design in rural areas
 Design
 Land at Friday Grove Farm, North Mymms, Hatfield: Appeal June
2007
 PPS 7 and PPG 2 Green Belt
 "visual design of the building exciting and dynamic"
 "reflects the highest standards in contemporary architecture"
 "use of angles and planes: organic link with the ground appearing
to grow out of it rather than sit on it"
UKG/14653101 12 December 2012 5

6. Reflect highest standards in architecture
 Appeal at Mines Farm in Weston Green, Weston Colville,
Cambridgeshire
 Allowed March 2009
 5 bed house, 2 staff dwellings, 39 hectares arable land
 The building has been designed as a sculptural object and is
intended to act as a local landmark
 compare appeal decision 100/077/058-2012: site in
Oxfordshire - simple design not truly innovative or outstanding
code level 6 construction standards
UKG/14653101 12 December 2012 6

7. Significantly enhanced its immediate setting…
 Appeal 8 October 2008 : Highfield Hall Fordingbridge
Hampshire
 "Proposed building is of high quality and innovative design…"
 "It fails to respond fully to its immediate setting in that it does
not fit adequately into the local topography…"
 Appeal disallowed
UKG/14653101 12 December 2012 7

8. "Be sensitive to the defining characteristics
of the local area"
 See appeal decision reference 100-076-667/2012: Devon
 "Eco house in secluded Devon valley"
 Twentieth century chalet like appearance at odds with rural
vernacular of the area
 Zero carbon design and construction
 Appeal dismissed
UKG/14653101 12 December 2012 8

9. Any Questions
Over to you …
UKG/14653101 12 December 2012 9

10. NPPF Paragraph 55
"A Grand Design?"
Peter Taylor
DLA Piper
Solicitors
Birmingham
peter.taylor@dla piper.com