Matthew and Eleanor Elias have realised their ambition to build their dream home on the outskirts of their local village under a special planning clause which allows for exceptional homes to be built in areas otherwise considered unsuitable, the first such permission granted in the county.

Planning consent was attained under Paragraph 79 of the National Planning Policy Framework, which allows the building of exceptional new isolated homes within the countryside, calling for designs which are “truly outstanding or innovative, reflecting the highest standards of architecture” and which will “significantly enhance their immediate setting”.

Achieving such planning is notoriously difficult and, mindful of its successful track record in one-off houses and Paragraph 79 projects in the region, the couple approached Lathams of Derby and Nottingham to design their ambitious and ground-breaking ‘forever’ home.

The Elias family has a long history of living and farming in the village of Stanton, which dates back to the 16th century, and Matthew and Eleanor plan to build a modern, zero-carbon house that respects its context and stays faithful to the local vernacular.

The house is based on three defined zones, inspired by the informal layout of local farmsteads, with a central ‘field room’ connecting them.

A public consultation on the design was held in the village and an independent review undertaken to build support for the design proposals. 

The planning application was submitted earlier this year and full permission was granted in September.

16 December 2019