The 'rich person' clause that will benefit Beyonce and Jay-Z

Beyonce and Jay-Z are set to benefit from a 'rich person' planning clause which will allow the couple to build a rural estate in the Cotswolds. 

The pop duo are said to be in the final stages of purchasing 58 acres of land on the outskirts of Wigginton, that has received planning permission for a 'spectacular rural estate'.

Pictures show the derelict 'shack' and algae-filled lake where the stars are set to build their new mansion overlooking the water in the sleepy Oxfordshire hotspot.

But it can now been revealed that the development is only being being allowed under a 'special exemption'. 

A 'paragraph 80' clause allows for the building of 'architecturally important buildings' in places where planning would otherwise be refused.

The consent has been dubbed the 'rich person clause' due to the amount of money and investment required to override normal planning restrictions. 

Planning consent was granted by Cherwell District Council in 2021 under NPPF paragraph 80, that was submitted by the owner of the land. 

The owner never had the place built and instead sold the land subject to contract with the planning permission attached.

The land has been sold after being marketed for £7.5million - although could be worth significantly more once the home has been built.

The listing detailed an 18 acre site with permission to build a 'large contemporary' home with seven bedrooms, seven reception rooms and seven bathrooms.

It said: '[It] is totally unique. The site for the new house is at the head of a long drive that meanders through beautiful countryside to a magical woodland lake.

'Permission has been granted to create a large contemporary dwelling that part cantilevers over its own lake, has incredible room volumes throughout, will be exceptionally light and have stunning views out over the surrounding countryside.

'The position and the permission are unrivalled.'

The listing states the home is currently 'sold subject to contract' and is listed as 'no longer on the market'. 

It is not known what stage the sale to the celebrity couple is but locals have speculated it is in the 'final stages.'

Seymour-Smith Architects proudly posted that the land was its fifth project to have had planning consent granted under NPPF paragraph 80 (and its various predecessors - in this case, paragraph 79).

It said the decision had maintained its 100 per cent success record.

Permission was initially granted by Cherwell District Council in May 2021.

The architects said: 'The setting for the house is a monoculture ash plantation (sadly suffering from ash dieback) with a man-made lake at its centre. Both are in a poor state, but nonetheless rather magical, and full of exciting potential.

'The brief was for a flexible, multi-generational house, to allow three households of one family to live independently but together - three self-contained yet linked living environments.

'It was important for each to have its own entrance, living space etc, and its own outside space - but also that this wasn't three houses, but rather, one house that could be lived in in different ways.

'This was to be a home for a family enjoying each other's time and company, providing care solutions for young and old alike, and also enabling timeless layers of support to emerge between generations.

'The house will be nestled in among the trees, adjacent to, and partly dramatically projecting out over the water, which will be re-shaped and much enhanced.'

Drone images taken of the land show sprawling fields - with just one ramshackle building and a large lake filled with algae.

The village has no pub or shops - but does have two churches and a community book swap shop.

Several locals previously said they were not too aware of her work and expressed their concerns over the potential increase of house prices.

Others said they didn't want limousines or paparazzi 'swarming' around the village.

David, 71, who is retired, has lived there for more than 60 years.

He said: 'It's a big project to do - to build a house over a lake. It's a man made lake. She is going to make a house over the lake - nice idea!

'It's very romantic and pretty.

'I don't know what it's going to be like really. People do buy houses around here and the prices are going up and it could even be more so.

'I don't know much about Beyoncé. I think everybody has been looking her up to see what she's like.

'I don't think it will make much difference because we have already got David Beckham, Claudia Winkleman, all the people are here. It's just another one isn't it?'

Another local, who moved there 12 years ago, said: 'I couldn't believe they bought what it is - it is a shack.

'It is such a lovely quiet village you don't want to have a lot of black limousines going up and down the road because they are going to have a lot of police escorts.

'My grandson will think this is wonderful that they are coming here.

'The houses will go up in price hugely and it is already a very expensive area to live because of where it is in Cotswolds.

'I think it will change the village. I have already got texts from lots of people saying "oh god you've got new neighbours".'

Another woman who moved in recently with her family said she hopes the village won't be 'swarming with helicopters and paparazzi'.

She said she used to live in LA and had move to Wigginton for a 'calmer life'.

'I think it's quite funny that we left LA because it was just a world that revolved around the entertainment industry and celebrity and now it's here as well,' she said.

'I welcome everybody. I do think this area lacks diversity so I am all for it.

'I love Beyonce, she is amazing.'