The existing smallholding consisted of agricultural barns and 18 acres of mixed-use land on a sloping site. Many attempts by the previous owners to obtain planning approval for a house on the site had been unsuccessful. Our Clients bought the site knowing its planning history and the complexities of the Para 79 planning policies. Knowing that we had previously obtained planning approval for another Para 79 project (unanimously through the planning committee), we designed a new house based on the Derbyshire longhouse tradition, using the barn typology. Accommodation for multi-generational living alongside facilities for rearing rare-breed sheep nestle into the hillside. Now on site, our Clients hope to be in by Christmas... we just haven't decided which one!