Full Breakdown
Fomorian: Rock-Inspired Passivhaus Approved on Yorkshire Moors
By Drooid · · How we work
Design and Environmental Standards
A new country house, named Fomorian, is being built on green-belt land off Heber’s Ghyll Drive in Ilkley, West Yorkshire. The contemporary structure mimics the nearby Cow and Calf Rocks with large, irregular-shaped windows and a natural outdoor pool. It is designed to meet the ultra-low-energy Passivhaus standard, positioning the home as an eco-friendly addition to the moorland landscape.
Planning Approval and Green Belt Exception
The project received approval from the HM Planning Inspectorate under the “country house” clause, which permits development on green-belt sites for buildings deemed of “exceptional quality.” Harrogate-based architects Shaw & Jagger confirmed that the scheme was ultimately passed through this clause, allowing the house to be constructed despite its location within protected land.
Key Figures
Official Statements & Responses
Shaw & Jagger described the approval as a recognition of the house’s “exceptional quality.”
Verbatim Quote
“The design approach was to propose a scheme that is intrinsically linked to the spirit of its place. Fomorian is of its place, part of the moors, its geology and its spirit.” — Ilkley Moor. Masserella-Gill, the architect