Leeds

Architects secure planning permission for jaw-dropping ‘boulder house’ on Ilkley Moor

Wow.

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 3rd November 2026

A house that looks good enough for James Bond is set to be built on Ilkley Moor.

Is that a formation of angular grey rocks sitting atop of the Yorkshire dales? No, it's a house.

The wildly contemporary structure, which has huge irregular-shaped windows and a natural outdoor pool, is based off the famous Cow and Calf Rocks in Ilkley, West Yorkshire.

It will be built just down the road from them too, on green belt land which is the garden of a home off Heber's Ghyll Drive.

It is the work of Harrogate-based architects Shaw & Jagger, who said the project was passed through the country house clause which allows things to be built on green belt for buildings of "exceptional quality".

The house itself has been named 'Fomorian', after a supernatural race of giants in Irish mythology. The name takes inspiration from the mythical giant Rombald who is said to have roamed on Ilkley Moor.

Images: Shaw & Jagger Architects

Shaw & Jagger wrote: "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.

"We took cues from local folklore, the surrounding rocks; ancient carvings, standing stones and escarpments that are synonymous with the landscape.

"The building depicts a series of monolithic elements embedded in the earth as the wild, dramatic environment looms around, attempting to overcome them. The building is new, yet part of this ancient landscape.

Images: Shaw & Jagger Architects

"Fomorian is to be built over the next couple of years and will provide family accommodation consisting of 4 bedrooms, kitchen, dining room, sitting room and study.

"It was important to offer the client viable outside space therefore a paved courtyard garden allows external living to be within the heart of the plan. The abstract rock forms allow the design to have exciting internal spaces with large irregular windows designed to maximise views out across the valley."

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Featured image - Shaw & Jagger Architects