Simon Dale & Jasmine Saville

Plot 7

We are a family of four; Simon, Jasmine, and two toddlers, Cosmo and Elfie. We have built two low impact eco houses in Wales and currently live near Carmarthen. We have experience of sustainable land use- Jasmine is a permaculture facilitator.

Our plan for Lammas, subject to selection for a plot, is to largely meet the 75% basic needs criteria through self sufficiency. The remainder will be met by the following land based activities: sale of surplus; crafts/woodwork (candle sticks to furniture); plant feed; worm farming and a local food growing consultancy service. We have other ideas in the pipeline yet to be developed. We envisage sale of our products largely at farmers' markets, Glandwr post office and wood fairs.

Our house will be built from roundwood, earth and stone off the land; straw bales and reclaimed materials e.g. double glazing. We will maximize solar passive design, with minimal space heating by short rotation coppice willow and super efficient stove i.e. a rocket stove. We envisage a third of the house to be a greenhouse and to divert all our greywater to cultivation. We will also collect all our rainwater.

We are very keen to work a plot with existing woodland. We have been involved in woodland management for four years and naturally are committed to ecologically sound management. Simon intends to make wooden products as a key part of our income and woodland will be invaluable in our building process. At present our land design is as follows; 2-3 acres of woodland, including new plant firewood coppice; 1 acre for buildings and intensive food growing (including polytunnel); 1-2 acres for mixed agro-forestry (e.g. fruits, nuts, grains). We will keep ducks for eggs and pest management. We are open to keeping cows, sheep or goats with other families.

We intend to car share with one or two other groups. We also are interested in a shared workshop of selected tools.

Simon will continue working as web and graphic designer/photographer. Jasmine will develop her food growing consultancy in the local area and continue to teach permaculture in the county, but primarily at our plot. 90% of our time and work will be on our land.

To view an interview with Simon Dale, click here

Illustrative model of plot 7

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