A PLAN to build an eco-village in the north Preselis will be considered on Tuesday by Pembrokeshire county councillors.

The proposal by Lammas Low Impact Initiatives to construct nine eco-smallholdings at a site near Glandwr will be the first the council has considered under a new "low impact" policy introduced last year.

County planning officers are recommending in their report to the planning committee that the scheme should be refused on the grounds that it does not meet all the requirements of the policy.

But the proposal's backers are confident they will get permission eventually.

Project co-founder Paul Wimbush said: "At this stage we are expecting it to be deferred for more information to be provided. This is the first serious low-impact application in the UK and we expect to have to go through quite a process before we get permission.

"However, If they refuse us outright we will appeal," he added.

He said the scheme had been scaled down to nine holdings following local consultations. It now includes a smaller community hub and seasonal campsite.

"Should this application succeed, it will place Pembrokeshire on the map for promoting green initiatives in the UK. This project will show how we can bring a whole new lease of life to our rural communities as well as providing affordable housing for young farmers and smallholders," he added.

The development features straw bale homes, a clom house, an earth sheltered house and a timber frame terrace. The homes would all be heated using willow grown on site and rainwater would be harvested from the roofs. All electricity would be produced by renewables using a combination of solar panels, small windmills and a water turbine.

Each family in the project has included detailed plans on how they would work the land. Produce would include smoked hams, hazelnuts, woodland crafts and wild salads.

Dave Owen, who hopes to live in the village, said: "On the one hand the project will conserve traditional skills such as hedge-laying and coppicing and on the other it will introduce newer ideas like permaculture, carbon-neutral housing and renewable energy".

Lammas has arranged two open days so the public can see the plans. They are at Queen's Hall, Narberth, on October 23; and the Community Centre, Haverfordwest, on October 24. Both events are open from 11am to 4pm.

7:43am Sunday 7th October 2007

Print   Email this