During September of 2003 the Royal Institute of British Architects hosted an exhibition of 27 newly approved English country houses designed within five years from 1997. It was organised and curated by architectural historian Neil Guy, who for three years made a special study of the impact of the clause in the UK planning regulations [PPG7 Paragraph 3.21] that allowed, exceptionally, the building of architecturally ‘outstanding’ country houses. The Exhibition moved to Bristol in April/May 2004.

This resulted in a 140 page, fully illustrated, colour catalogue for the exhibition, entitled ‘The New English Country House’, an imprint of Vitruvius Publishing, detailing the complete list of the 24 approved PPG7 houses, and including background information, detailed design statements, plans, perspectives, and landscape designs. It also includes another 6 additional PPG7 projects for houses that had not at the time successfully negotiated the planning system. The catalogue is available priced £17.00 including UK post and packing.  ISBN 0-954884-0-1. Only available through Architectural Publishing, 10 Eider Close, Daventry, Northants, NN11 0XR or from the RIBA Bookshop,  66 Portland Place,  London.

The PPG7 exception clause was replaced in August 2004 by PPS7 allowing, exceptionally, isolated houses built in the countryside, but of a ‘innovative, cutting edge, contemporary’ nature. A further revision to the ‘New English Country House’ will be made in 2010-11 when a selection of approved PPS7 houses will be reviewed and discussed. Although there were about 20 approved in January 2010, only about four had completed build.

Contact: sales@vitruviuspublishing.co.uk or 01327 878321.