Napper Architects obtain planning permission for ‘Paragraph 80’ Home

We are delighted to have received planning permission for a new home set within the heart of Northumberland. The proposals follow the principles of Paragraph 80 of the National Planning policy Framework which promotes exceptional design quality. The client brief was for a modest but unique home that sits harmoniously within the woodland and allows them to live sustainably whilst being custodians of the wood. 

The surrounding woodland is largely plantation, and the design utilises the existing spruce to construct the building with a ‘branch to beam’ design philosophy. As part of the wider Woodland Management Plan native species will replace the spruce used for the construction of the build thus embracing an innovative regenerative design concept.

The organic site layout is intentionally low-key, each part of proposal revealing itself incrementally. The cranked linear plan maintains short structural spans ensuring that the woodland timber can be used. The building form fragments into 4 volumes stepping up in level guaranteeing different biophilic interactions with the surrounding landscape. The timber framed, timber clad home seeks to be deferential to the surrounding woodland, with the vertical charred Yakisugi cladding referencing the verticality of the surrounding trees whilst the dark aesthetic strives to be recessive in view.

As part of the process to ensure that home was of the highest design standard the scheme was independently reviewed and highly praised by the design review panel. 

“The Panel consider the current design to be an exceptional, architecturally innovative design that enhances its setting and will serve as a marker to raise the standards of design and sustainability in the area.”

Design Review Panel