Paragraph 84 Planning Support
(Formerly Paragraph 80 Planning Permission)
Focus 360 Energy provides specialist Paragraph 84 planning support for architects, landowners, and homeowners seeking consent for exceptional new homes in the countryside. Formerly known as Paragraph 80 planning and before that Paragraph 79, Paragraph 84 of the National Planning Policy Framework allows for isolated residential development where a proposal demonstrates truly outstanding architectural quality, innovation, and environmental performance.
What Is Paragraph 84 Planning Permission?
Paragraph 84 planning permission is a nationally recognised planning policy that permits isolated homes in the open countryside where standard residential development would normally be refused. Previously referred to as Paragraph 80 planning, this policy applies only to proposals that can clearly demonstrate:
- Exceptional architectural quality
- Innovative and original design
- Outstanding sustainability and environmental performance
- A sensitive response to the rural landscape
- A design that significantly raises the standard of countryside housing
Paragraph 84 homes are often architect-led and require a clear, evidence-based justification to satisfy planning authorities. Focus 360 Energy provides the technical and sustainability expertise needed to underpin this justification.
What Does the Paragraph 84 Service Include?
Sustainability & Energy Strategy for Paragraph 84 Homes: A clear, planning-led sustainability strategy demonstrating how the proposed Paragraph 84 house exceeds standard residential performance expectations.
Environmental Performance Modelling: Energy and performance modelling to evidence operational efficiency, carbon reduction, and long-term environmental responsibility.
Paragraph 80 & Paragraph 84 Policy Justification: Planning-ready technical documentation referencing both Paragraph 84 and historic Paragraph 80 planning terminology to ensure policy clarity and search relevance.
Passive Design & Fabric Performance Advice: Guidance on orientation, glazing, thermal performance, airtightness, and natural ventilation strategies appropriate for isolated countryside homes.
Design Team Collaboration: Close coordination with architects, planning consultants, and other specialists throughout RIBA Stages 1–3.
Why Paragraph 84 Expertise Is Critical
Paragraph 84 and Paragraph 80 planning applications are among the most challenging residential submissions in the UK planning system. Approval depends on demonstrating that the proposal is not simply a high-quality home, but an exceptional, innovative Paragraph 84 house with clear environmental credentials.
A weak or generic sustainability approach can undermine the entire application. Our expertise ensures:
- Sustainability is embedded from the concept stage
- Claims of innovation are supported by evidence
- The proposal meets both historic Paragraph 80 expectations and current Paragraph 84 requirements
This significantly reduces planning risk and strengthens the likelihood of approval.
How Our Accredited Assessors Support You
Our accredited assessors support successful Paragraph 84 and Paragraph 80 planning applications by providing the coordinated technical evidence required to justify exceptional homes in the countryside. We prepare robust Planning Reports and Planning Feasibility Reports to assess early-stage viability and ensure proposals are aligned with national and local planning policy from the outset. Where required, we produce comprehensive Energy Statements for Planning Applications alongside clear Sustainability Statements that demonstrate environmental performance and innovation.
Related Services
Paragraph 84 planning support is frequently combined with the following additional services:
Energy Statements for Planning Applications
Find out moreEnergy Statement
Find Out MoreSustainability Statement
Find out moreDaylight & Sunlight Assessments
Find out morePlanning Feasibility Report
Find Out MoreAir Quality Assessments
Find out moreOur Process
Book Your Paragraph 84 Planning Support
If you are exploring a Paragraph 84 house, working with a Paragraph 84 architect, or preparing a submission under Paragraph 80 or Paragraph 84 planning, Focus 360 Energy can provide the technical clarity and sustainability leadership your project requires.
Click the Get a Quote link to access our online portal, or use the form to share brief details about your project and we will respond promptly.
Why choose Focus 360 Energy
Paragraph 84 & Paragraph 80 Expertise: Specialist support aligned with current and historic countryside planning policy.
Trusted by Paragraph 84 Architects: Collaborative technical input that strengthens architect-led design proposals.
Energy-Led Design: Evidence-based sustainability strategies supported by energy modelling.
Planning-Ready Reports: Clear, structured documentation prepared specifically for planning submission
Early-Stage Support: Strategic input from RIBA Stages 1–3 to reduce planning risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Paragraph 84 is the current policy reference. Paragraph 80 was the previous terminology used in earlier versions of the NPPF.
Yes. Environmental performance and innovation are fundamental to Paragraph 84 approval.
No. We work with architects, planning consultants, and private clients, but Paragraph 84 schemes are typically architect-led.
Yes. We can provide additional technical evidence to support resubmissions or appeals.
Ideally, from RIBA Stage 1 or 2, to ensure sustainability is embedded early.
No. Paragraph 84 applies only to isolated sites where the proposal can clearly demonstrate exceptional design quality, innovation, and a strong environmental response that justifies development in the open countryside.
While not a formal requirement, Paragraph 84 houses are almost always architect-led. Working with an experienced Paragraph 84 architect significantly improves the quality, coherence, and credibility of the planning submission.
Paragraph 80 was the previous reference in earlier versions of the NPPF. While Paragraph 84 is the current policy, planning officers are familiar with Paragraph 80, and applications often reference both for clarity.
In addition to architectural drawings, applications often require energy and sustainability statements, planning reports, environmental assessments, and site-specific studies such as ecology, flood risk, or transport surveys.
Yes. We can provide additional technical evidence, refined sustainability strategies, and supporting documentation to strengthen resubmissions or appeals where Paragraph 84 or Paragraph 80 planning permission has previously been refused.
