Landscape-led Design for Exceptional Rural Homes

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At PLAN, we take a landscape led approach to exceptional rural homes, working closely with architects, planning consultants and private clients from the earliest stages of a project. We begin by understanding the character of the site and its wider landscape, including its history, geology, topography, ecology, vegetation, views and relationship with the surrounding countryside.

 

This approach is particularly important for Paragraph 84 applications, where proposals for new isolated homes in the countryside must demonstrate exceptional quality and how the development enhances its immediate setting. We use landscape as a starting point for understanding where a house belongs, how it can sit within the landscape and how the wider site can be enhanced as part of the proposal.

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Our Approach

 

Every rural site presents different opportunities and constraints. Rather than applying a standard landscape solution, we develop proposals that emerge from the specific qualities of each place.

 

Our work considers the relationship between the proposed dwelling and its landscape from the outset, including:

• Understanding the site: researching its history, landscape character, geology, ecology, topography and wider setting.

• Finding the right relationship: exploring how the dwelling can respond to and sit within the existing landscape.

• Creating a strong landscape framework: developing gardens, planting, habitats, landform, water and access as an integral part of the design.

• Enhancing biodiversity and ecology: identifying opportunities to strengthen existing habitats and create new ecological value.

• Strengthening landscape character: using locally appropriate planting, materials and landscape features to create a proposal that feels connected to its surroundings.

• Creating places to experience: designing landscapes that provide meaningful spaces for people while supporting wildlife and the wider environment.

 

The result is a landscape that is not simply a setting for the architecture, but an integral part of the proposal, helping to establish a strong sense of place while enhancing the qualities of the site.

 

Paragraph 84 Experience

 

We have secured planning permission for three Paragraph 84 projects, with a further three applications currently in progress. Two of our approved rural residential projects have also received Society of Garden + Landscape Designers awards, recognising the quality of their landscape design. Our experience allows us to understand the particular demands of Paragraph 84 applications while maintaining our focus on what makes each project unique: its landscape, its architecture and the experience of living within it.

 

Explore a selection of our rural residential and Paragraph 84 projects below.