What is paragraph 80 of the NPPF?

In exceptional circumstances, planning permission may be granted for houses in the open countryside under paragraph 80 of the National Planning Policy Framework. This is a section within the NPPF that sets out the guidelines for planning and building new homes in isolated rural areas of England.

The clause allows the construction of houses in rural areas under the following circumstances:

a) there is an essential need for a rural worker, including those taking majority control of a farm business, to live permanently at or near their place of work in the countryside;

b) the development would represent the optimal viable use of a heritage asset or would be appropriate enabling development to secure the future of heritage assets;

c) the development would re-use redundant or disused buildings and enhance its immediate setting;

d) the development would involve the subdivision of an existing residential building; or

e) the design is of exceptional quality, in that it:

- is truly outstanding, reflecting the highest standards in architecture, and would help to raise standards of design more generally in rural areas; and

- would significantly enhance its immediate setting, and be sensitive to the defining characteristics of the local area.

In a framework which tends to avoid encouraging development in open countryside, NPPF 80 allows clients with rural land to own a piece of outstanding architecture.