Lammas Ecovillage

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.

Lammas Ecovillage
Lammas Ecovillage
Location within Pembrokeshire
Principal area
CountryWales
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townCrymych
Postcode districtSA34
Dialling code01239
PoliceDyfed-Powys
FireMid and West Wales
AmbulanceWelsh
UK Parliament
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament

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