Introduction

To live a low-impact lifestyle is to live lightly on the earth.

In essence, this means to intelligently and intensively manage our surrounding environment in order to maximise return (in the forms of energy, water, food, shelter and products) and minimise waste (through recycling, composting and energy efficient systems).

In practice, this means to adopt a land-based, simple, localised lifestyle that works with the land and natural cycles available to us.

In order to explore low-impact living, it is necessary to create an integrated system of dwellings and infrastructure able to support such a venture.

Low Impact Development

“Low-impact development is development which, by virtue of its low or benign environmental impact, may be allowed in locations where conventional development is not permitted".

Simon Fairlie

Low-impact development provides an unprecedented opportunity for the repopulation of the countryside by people committed to land-based, environmentally-conscious living.

Lammas aims to demonstrate that it is possible to live a modern lifestyle which does not cost the earth. Human beings are, through living on the land, able to develop a mutually beneficial relationship with the natural world which is able to support both a wildlife and a human culture.

We, as human beings, are dependant on the earth for our needs. We are an intrinsic part of the web of life, indeed we hold a privileged position. With good stewardship the potential for diversity and abundance is enormous. We believe this can best be achieved by bringing together the enlightened management of our natural world and integrating it with the management of the land to meet our own needs. This requires a personal and intimate connection with our environment, and requires people living and working with the natural rhythms and cycles that form our world.

Low Impact Policy

Pembrokeshire's planning policy on Low-Impact Development is a groundbreaking policy which sets out a new approach to sustainable development in the countryside.

To view the LID local policy (Pembrokeshire), click here

The Welsh Assembly's policy on One-Planet Development is an inspiring and refreshing attempt to support sustainable land-based development.

To view the LID National policy (from TAN6), click here

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Research

Lammas actively promotes research on low-impact development (LID). Here is a selection of research papers on LID:

Click on the file to view:

	This was the original research paper that led to the formation of policy 52
	This was the follow-up research paper that informed the approach of policy 52 and accompanying supplementary planning guildance
	This document considers 'What are the planning barriers to low impact developments in rural areas in britain and how might they be overcome?'
	This paper considers the current situation regarding LID
	This paper explores the potential future of low-impact development in Wales
	This paper examines the effectiveness of the new TAN6 'One Planet Development' policy in Wales
	This paper consists of an in-depth investigation into the first ecovillage to come under the new planning initiatives in Wales (Tir y Gafel)

Lammas also supports more specific research studies on a range of themes that surround LID. Here is a selection of associated papers:

	A research paper exploring both the vision of Lammas and the research methods used to reveal this vision
	An innovative design for a fossil-fuel-free domestic cooker. This file is a summary report of the concept.
	An anthropological investigation into the local opposition to the Lammas planning application
	An initial study exploring the carbon impact of the Lammas project
	A report that catalogues Lammas' experiences in the planning system

Click on the file to view

Lammas would like to thank all those people and organisations who have researched and supported research with Lammas.

Thankyou.

The Lammas team