A unique mansion designed to resemble natural boulders is set to be built on green belt land near Ilkley Moor in West Yorkshire. The project, named Fomorian, is commissioned by retired tech entrepreneur David Rasche and his wife Diane, both aged 77. They recently secured permission under a rarely used planning provision that permits the construction of high-quality homes in protected countryside areas.
Fomorian will occupy about four acres of the Rasches’ 14.5-acre estate on the moor’s edge, with much of the surrounding land remaining wild. Scheduled for completion in approximately two years, the single-story, four-bedroom house is intended as a downsizing move from their current 7,500 square-foot mansion, which, along with the remaining land, they plan to sell after the new home is finished.
Designed by Harrogate-based architecture firm Shaw & Jagger, the house aims to blend seamlessly into the moorland environment. It will be constructed from locally sourced Yorkshire gritstone and shaped to evoke the region’s rugged geology and folklore. The building’s appearance will mimic interconnected rocks, drawing inspiration from Celtic mythology—specifically, the Fomorians, mythological giants—and local legends of Rombald the Giant, said to have created the moor’s boulder formations through a series of rock-throwing disputes.
Architect Matt Massarella-Gill described the design process as highly imaginative, referencing the area’s ancient carvings and standing stones. The interior, by contrast, will offer modern amenities and spacious, light-filled rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows that provide expansive views of Ilkley Moor. Features include an indoor swimming pool with a waterfall-like element and a winding staircase leading to elevated vantage points framed by naturalistic rock-like forms.
Securing planning permission for the house proved challenging. The project relied on Paragraph HO11e of the National Planning Policy Framework, a provision that allows new mansions on green belt land if the design is of “exceptional quality” and enhances the surroundings. Since its introduction in 1997, only around 150 similar permissions have been granted. The application faced initial rejections at the local council level but was ultimately approved on appeal last August after a planning inspector visited the site and was reportedly impressed by the project’s architectural merit and integration with the landscape.
The Rasches emphasized the practical considerations behind their choice to build in this style. David Rasche noted the desire for a comfortable, accessible home suitable for their future mobility needs, while remaining deeply connected to the countryside that has shaped their lives. Diane Rasche’s grandchildren have shown particular enthusiasm for the design, describing it as reminiscent of a “Bond villain” or cave-like dwelling.
Environmental considerations are also incorporated, with Fomorian planned as an eco-friendly home featuring zonal heating to allow selective warming of occupied areas. While the couple has not disclosed the project’s financial details, David Rasche characterized it as a “legacy project” within their means. The house is expected to contribute a distinctive and innovative architectural addition to the Yorkshire moorscape when completed.