Suffolk plot with rare Paragraph 84 planning permission listed for £750,000

A plot of land in Woodbridge, Suffolk, has been listed for £750,000 with rare planning permission to construct a five‑bedroom luxury home known as Serpentine House, estate agent Savills said on Friday.

The sale transfers the right to build the 444 square metre dwelling, which received approval from East Suffolk Council on May 14, 2024, under paragraph 84 of the National Planning Policy Framework — an exemption typically granted only in exceptional circumstances for new isolated homes in the countryside, Savills said.

Savills described the permission as "a rare Paragraph 84 permission to construct a new two‑storey residential dwelling," noting that paragraph 84 is reserved for schemes of the highest architectural quality. The listing says the design was prepared by architect Jerry Tate with landscape architect Will Sandy and that the council was impressed by the standard of design.

The permission allows for a house arranged around a central "great hall" creating a double‑height volume. Ground floor accommodation would include a sitting room, kitchen and dining area, a utility room, a walk‑in pantry, a wine cellar and a plant room. Two ground‑floor bedrooms are sited at the northern side of the building and are described in the listing as being visually concealed within an earth bund.

The first floor is intended to contain an open gallery library, a master bedroom with en‑suite, a walk‑in dressing room and private balcony, plus two additional bedrooms and a family bathroom. The design also features an outside kitchen, a sunken firepit with seating on a western terrace, a garden, a greenhouse and a potting shed. Vehicle accommodation would comprise a double garage and a concealed parking area separate from the principal driveway and entrance.

The listing highlights a package of sustainability measures: solar panels with battery storage, ground‑source heating and cooling, and a water borehole with a filtration system in addition to mains connections. Savills said the house would be set "within the natural contours of the site, minimising aesthetic and environmental impacts on the surrounding landscape."

Savills’ marketing materials point out the relative scarcity of paragraph 84 permissions. The listing states that since the introduction of the relevant policy, there have been, on average, fewer than five such houses granted per year. East Suffolk Council granted the permission in May 2024 on the basis of the design quality and the stated mitigation of landscape impact.

The listing makes clear that the sale is for the plot together with the planning permission; the purchaser would be responsible for building the house. The agent did not disclose an asking price for any build contract or provide a projected construction timetable in the public listing.

Market participants and local planning analysts say permissions tied to high‑quality designs can command premiums because they remove a degree of uncertainty for buyers seeking to develop rural sites. However, buyers must still secure contractors, comply with building regulations and fund construction, all of which affect overall project costs.

The plot comes to market amid continued demand in parts of the country for bespoke rural homes that combine contemporary design with sustainability features. Savills is marketing the plot and permission to private buyers and developers; further details, including full planning drawings and conditions attached to the consent, are available via the agent.

East Suffolk Council’s planning committee minutes record the May 2024 decision but do not comment on any commercial aspects of the listing. The listing was reported publicly in September 2025 after the agent placed the plot on the market.

Prospective purchasers are advised to review the planning consent, any associated conditions, and the likely costs of construction and site works before making an offer. Savills and the architect did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.