Lammas_Ecovillage

Lammas Ecovillage

Lammas Ecovillage

Human settlement in Wales

Lammas Ecovillage (Welsh: Tir-y-Gafel) is a low-impact, off-grid ecovillage in Glandwr, near Crymych in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, comprising nine households and a community hub on a 76 acres (31 ha) site. Buildings are constructed of natural materials and energy obtained from renewable sources. Planning permission took some years to obtain, but has established a replicable template for similar future developments in Wales.

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Development

The project was the first ecovillage in the UK to attain prospective planning permission, and this was achieved in 2009 after a three-year planning campaign culminating in a public hearing.[1] The project had applied under an innovative local planning policy designed to support low-impact development. The policy required residents to live a sustainable lifestyle and substantially support themselves from land-based livelihood.[2]

Concept

The ecovillage is centered on a Community Hub, from which courses, conferences and open days are run.[3] It was constructed using local timber, straw bale insulation and locally sourced aggregate as well as incorporating various green technologies (such as a masonry stove, passive solar heating and a wood-fired kitchen). Funding for the Community Hub came from the Department of Energy and Climate Change.[4]

The project has been designed as a replicable template - with each household purchasing a 1000-year agricultural lease from the organisation which provides them with autonomy and security.[5] Each household has access to approximately 7 acres (2.8 ha) of land from which they derive food, fuel and income. One resident utilises permaculture techniques for managing the land,[5] and electricity is generated by solar panels and a micro hydro turbine.[6][7]

The nine smallholdings demonstrate a range of natural building techniques though there have been challenges over compliance with building regulations which led to some of the residents being taken to court by Pembrokeshire County Council.[6] These issues have since been resolved.[8][9]

The site is listed by RCAHMW and featured on Channel 4's Grand Designs, Series 17, Episode 6 in 2016.[10]

Post-establishment

Since Lammas, the Welsh Government introduced a national low-impact policy, "One Planet Development", which creates a framework for land-based smallholdings and ecovillage projects to be established in Wales.[11]

One house, built at a cost of £27,000 over several years, was destroyed by fire in January 2018, with a total re-build estimate of £500,000. The house was not insured as construction had not been completed.[12]

See also

References

  1. [1]
    "Hundreds hear Lammas concerns and aspirations". Western Telegraph. 31 July 2009. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  2. [2]
    "Revised plans for 'eco-village'". BBC Online. 11 March 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  3. [3]
    Sian Morgan (9 July 2011). "Self-reliant residents live the good life in eco-village". WalesOnline. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  4. [4]
    "Low Carbon Communities Challenge Winners". DECC. Archived from the original on 17 December 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
  5. [5]
    Philby, Charlotte (10 July 2010). "Easy Living, The truth about modern communes". The Independent. London, UK.
  6. [6]
    Lonsdale, Sarah (23 June 2011). "Lammas: Britain's first ecovillage". The Telegraph. London, UK. Archived from the original on 25 June 2011.
  7. [7]
    "A new way of life takes shape in West Wales". Western Mail. 23 January 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  8. [8]
    Helen Iles (Director) (2013). Living in the Future - Lammas (Motion picture). Retrieved 16 November 2013.
  9. [9]
    "Pembrokeshire eco village: Lammas film hits cinemas". BBC. 22 January 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  10. [10]
    "Tir y Gafael Eco Village (422827)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  11. [11]
    Welsh Government, Technical Advice Note 6, Planning for sustainable rural communities, July 2010, 4.15 - 4.23
  12. [12]
    "Lammas eco house fire: Family 'still in complete shock'". BBC News. 6 January 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2018.

Further reading

  • Chris Bird, Local Sustainable Homes, Transition Books, 2010, p71 - 74 ISBN 978-1900322768
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