Hi Pete, Nick and all,
We are in a rather similar situation, we live about 2 hrs from Pembrokeshire so we are relying on the group for information on suitable sites and are thankful for those who are doing all the leg-work.
Hopefully, we would like to join a collective similar to the Lammas coop, as purchasing and running a plot on our own would be financially and physically outside what we plan. But we are also open to suggestions.
I will put our details on the contacts page shortly as I am currently borrowing my eldests laptop and have limited internet time.
Here's hoping something will come up soon.
Love to all
Dave and Linda

Hello to all and happy to see that the mission to find land is still happening and good to see that now some people are putting forward financial figures, so maybe its time I put my cards on the table. As most of you know I live on my small-holding in N.Ireland and the plan for me is to sell half or all of this site. With the current market I may have £40,000 to invest in a plot, the rest of what my sale of site brings in I realistically need to budget for building a house and setting up 1-2 polytunnels. I have indicated that I do have an interest in land with exsisting buildings so I am still going to look at this as an option.
My other comment is that I have quite specific needs with regard to location as south wales is the prefered area but I need close connections to Swansea, at least 1-1.5 hours max. I did mention to some of the group that I have 3 children and my son Sean has a condidtion called Cystic Fibrosis that means he needs monthly reviews by a specialist unit. For this reason I wont be considering sites that are too remote or may suffer access problems in the Winter. Areas that are particu;larly damp are not going to be suitable either. and Im still looking fo close access to the coast as sea air is a real benefit for Sean 's condition. Im sure there are issues that everyone will have to be realistic about and unfortunately these are the factors that will affect my decision to invest or not. Saying that Im sure we are all looking for a site with as much potential as possible and Im not the only person who wont be keen on areas prone to heavy rainfall.
Thank you to the folk who have visited sites and providing all the needed info and enthusiasm. Take care all. Eilish x

Hi All, Finally got a chance to quickly chuck-in my penny's worth. I can easily get hold of £20K to go towards land. I have more which I will anticipate needing for set-up costs. I still feel the need to be nearer to the sea than Glandwr.
I have just completed a course with my employers - the not for profit organisation LILI (Low Impact Living Initiative) "Low Impact Smallholding" Course tutor was Simon Fairlie and it was magnificent. It has given me the confidence to go and do this thing anywhere; not just in Wales. I am therefore still very much interested in this group and proceedings here. However I am not afraid to have a go in England, or France, or Portugal, or Scotland or..er...you get the idea. I think as long as there is the 'buzz' and then the right bit of land. There you are. Love, Mike

Hi there

A couple of questions within One Plant Development - What is classed as one household? Can a family (husband, wife and children) buy into one plot with say a brother and mother? If so, would they be able to build separate homes on that plot?

Cheers a lot. Kate

Hi Kate. We have a similar situation and I spoke to someone at the WAG about it. Unfortunately I have lost the email he sent back but we decided on the basis of what he told us that household meant house, and that we will need a management organisation in order to get planning for two seperate dwellings on the same piece of land. He also said that there are plans for more detailed guidance to be published at the beginning of next year. Hope this helps. The trouble we all have I think is that the planning regs are untested and probably open to quite a lot of interpretation by the planning authorities. Claire x

Can we get all the information we have available in one place? Documents, records of discussion, copies of correspondence etc. The meeting I'm organising could bring together quite a diverse mix of ideas, and it would be good to be able to look up what is known about issues raised, and compile a list of new things to investigate. With only the wording of the policy to go on, we could waste effort considering things that are known to be impractical, and maybe miss things that are known to be achievable.

Regarding more than 1 house on a plot: the house design might help 'bend' the rules perhaps.

What about 2 (or more) pods / blocks joined by passive heating / solar atria (green house corridor) or covered walkways, or a terrace style, or other design; some 'block(s)' may be more self-contained than others or develop as such at some point in time!
As long as the planners see it as one building (however loose the elements of the building might be joined or arranged) .......

Hi Claire

Thanks a lot for your response - very helpful. With more detailed guidance expected in the new year, we can take a closer look then.

Kate x

Hi Mark and Pete

Thanks a lot for your suggestions - really good. We had been thinking around 'alternatives' too - in order to just tick boxes!!

Hi Folks, Can anyone fill me in on what the verdict was on the 83 acres at Dolaumen, Mynachlogddu ? I notice its still on the market...

Saw this old proverb and just had to post it.

A vision without a plan is just a dream.
A plan without a vision is just drudgery.
But a vision with a plan can change the world.

Hi folks,
Ill be heading to France for much of this year and wont be able to get to a computer for much of this time, anyone fancy taking on the admin role?
its simple, just approving new members really... give me a shout at jiforce@iname.com
cheers
Jamie

mARTIN IS prepared to join me in viewing land. However, despite putting our heads together here at the internet cafe in Cardigan, cannot deduce the precise location or find a link to the suggested land, which Kate said is a part of a holding named Pen Gaer near Rhydlewis. Been onto the website of Morgan Davies, the Agents, in Lampeter and even their search does not yield the info. I shall just keep looking. x a

there are still places on this weekend.....Planning Permission for Low-impact Development workshop
"This weekend workshop, with Simon Fairlie, takes place on Radford Mill Farm on Feb 26th and 27th Feb. To book, and for complete details, go to LILI's website @

http://www.lowimpac t.org/bath_ planning. htm

Here's the workshop detail:

One of the major obstacles to living and working on the land, cited by many people, is the struggle to obtain planning permission. This is a rare chance to join Simon Fairlie - editor of The Land magazine, founder of Chapter 7, author of a number of books on the subject and the UK's leading expert on planning and land issues - for a fascinating weekend which is designed to give you the best chance possible of living on the land legally.

Simon will discuss how the planning system works, why it works like it does. the rationale and history behind it, and then explain how to use it in a way that significantly increases your chances of a successful application.

There will be lots of time for Q&A and advice on your own particular circumstances.

For anyone contemplating living on the land in the future, this weekend workshop is invaluable and could save you years of stress, money and ultimately it could empower you to make your dream a reality."

here is the link 'unbroken'!!
http://www.lowimpact.org/bath_planning.htm

HI everyone, I am going to this planning workshop and would love to know if anyone else is going from west wales. maybe can combine transport/go on train together (I haven't got clear yet how I am travelling). sarah

Hello everyone.
I'm Rob and have just joined the workspace.
My family and I are making moves to abandon our 'high-impact' way of living, get involved with other groups and move to a low impact way of life.
I am just finding my feet as it were navigating around this workspace, which is a little different to other forums I am a member of.
We are heading to Lammas in a couple of weeks time so will hopefully see some of you there.
Rob

Hi Folks,

Pretty much the same as Rob, looking for a group around south wales ideally. Be nice to meet up with like minded people.

Tony

Me and my husband Jon and kids are going to the Planning Permission for Low-impact Development workshop on the 26th and 27th Feb. We are going from Woodstock, Pembrokeshire, if anybody would like to share a lift we leave on friday 25th.
Amber.

Hi
still very interested joining in on the new Lammas project, but have family commitments this and the weekend of the Bath weekend, so would be very interested in the outcomes and when the next gathering would be. Many thanks Al, Cardiff.

Hi Amber, I am interested in sharing a lift: do you know what the choice of accommodation is? I am wondering whether to take my campervan... I have sent you an email, did you get it? It's from riseup, so sometimes hotmail sends it to junk as they dont like independent providers!! sarah

Is there anyone out there who wants to develop a forest-based L.I.D?
When Oneplanetdevelopment-pbworks was set up for people who wanted to follow in the footsteps of Lammas, Faith offered her 64acre woodland, Morvil Wood, for consideration as a site. I have been to visit it, and I think it has potential as a forest orientated L.I.D. site. It is on the general market and to be sold as a whole. It is an affordable price. Faith would be pleased to sell it to a LID group. See brochure on JJ Morris link: http://www.jjmorris.com/index.php?URL=img_link&EXTRA=002026563&CURRENCY=GBP
Brief outline below and some advantages (as I see it) that might interest. ‘Tis based on general overview of landscape and being shown around by Faith.
ACREAGE (Approx): 25 x standing N.spruce. 20 x nat. regen. with a stand of larch. 15 x decid. replant
PRESENT ACCESS: Hardcore tracks and large turning circle. Needing maintenance. Materials on site for extending.
POTENTIAL: Large Turning circle good site for two large-ish polytunnels and parking.
GROUND CONDITION: Relatively high exposed area. Gently sloping to flat. Trees rather than gradients will be main source of shelter from prevailing winds. Could mean some years of landscaping/preparation before dwelling on the land (possible advantage to those with limited financial resources).
LOCATION AND SERVICES: 6 miles from Fishguard. 5 miles from Newport and Brithdir Mawr. 8 miles from Lammas.Just within National Park.
POSSIBLE BENEFITS: of a LID cluster. Train station and Farmer’s Market at Fishguard; Adjacent to a quiet B-road; Farm-shop opposite side of road
PURCHASE CONDITIONS: Must remain forested land so no stock grazing potential within property, but surrounded by grazing land. 5 years to run on replanting agreement with Coed Cymru. Pembrokeshire National Park planning terms to work to.
If it peaks your interest please contact me: lizchild@phonecoop.coop for more info and discussion. This site needs to be purchased soon.

Hi...sorry this is a personal message...I want to contact someone who was on the Eco Village weekend in Sept last year....you were the pregnant lady who wanted the purple dungarees my little one was wearing!! She's grown out of them and I cant find where I put your contact details...I'm hoping you're on here!
Rachael x

Hi,

I.m the generic looking hippy. Sorry I couldn't make it this weekend, I went to the London protests last week and made a music video for one of my anti banker songs. I've been editing the footage and needed to rest and do nothing this weekend. I hope you're all ok.

I finished my video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjPJ45kmDz8&feature=related

I bet it makes you smile.

I'd still like to come next time if that's ok but I can't find the LID thing. I apologise for my stupidity, if anybody can point it out for me I'd appreciate it :)

Hi Tony
I e-mailed you directly.
But,the link to the LID google group created for communications between members of the Lammas 2, aka Lammas Too, but which now has a working name of 'Tir Teg' is:
http://groups.google.com/group/L-I-D-group
Cheers
Pete

Hi, my name is Chrissie Sugden and I'm new to this group. I've just applied to join the google group too. I belong to a small group of people in Argyll who are looking for land for a low impact development either in Scotland or Wales. We are currently discussing what model of ownership we want. I'm interested to know where you have got to in your process. It sounds like you are planning to replicate the Lammas model - is that right? If so, do you have all the people you need already?
Think that's all for now,
Cheers Chrissie

Hi Chrissie
I responded to you directly via your e-mail.

But for info, our Tir Teg group isn't going to replicate the Lammas structure, we're working at becoming an integral part of the Lammas legal structure (ie. there will be Lammas - Tir-y-Gafel and, hopefully, Lammas - Tir Teg).

We're not closed to committed new members, but any new members will have to be committed (emotionally and financially) to the Lammas vision / structiure.

Pete

Hiya
I have just posted up the John Hargraves planning appeal decision on the Lammas website for anyone interested - its on the planning pages towards the bottom.
With love,
Paul

Hi everyone, I wanted to say a quick hello, I have just joined this site and it's all new to me but it is so good to know that there are others who share the same vision, I'm looking forward to finding out as much as I can. Namaste x

Hi all, a group of us are in the process of setting up an eco-community in West Wales hopefully under OPD once the guidance comes out next month. Pls find more info via the link below, email us to read our vision statement and for more info - westwalesformingecocommunity@gmail.com. Best wishes, Adam

http://directory.ic.org/23542/Forming_Eco_community_in_SW_Wales_looking_for_people

New website:
Check out www.communitybuild.org.uk. It aims to connect community groups to land. It may be more focused on UK than Wales but some folk may find it helpful.

Hi everybody, I attended Plan B at Lammas. I live in a large woodland in South Wales very near public transport and about an hour from Swansea. I currently have spaces on my campsite/parkup. If you are interested phone or text me on 07789223211. Dav.

Hi all, interesting competition being funded by the Technology Strategy Board (Replacement for the regional development agencies): http://www.innovateuk.org/_assets/comp_rethinkingbuild_final.pdf

However LID may mean something totally different to the Establishment, as sustainability just means eternal capital growth!

But perhaps worth a punt!

Cheers,
Darren

I've just read the Technology Strategy Board competition requirements and I'm not encouraged by it. It seems to be aimed at volume housebuilders, in an attempt to get them to build their Barratt Homes to higher (eg Passivhaus) standards without increasing the build cost over the crap they currently produce. A minimum project value of 3 million limits the potential organisations that could qualify for this. Interesting, though, how the Technology Strategy Board have co-opted the Low Impact tag.

Mark

I hadn't read the 3M minimum value, Mark! Goes to show they are still thinking in the same frame, just hijacking the Low Impact banner, as they did with Sustainability... Or perhaps we could be 120 strawbale homes ;)

we are buying a place to subdivide. the first need is to sell around 10 acres with a cottage which isnt very affordable, but less than open market. If we get past this stage there might be some land for sale for smaller sums. The place has advantages like seclusion and support for self building and lots of sun etc. give a ring if of interest, or to keep informed, email is best. vicky@ecocymru.org 01239 820971

For anyone interested in ecovillages in West Wales, I have just finished writing a book:
http://www.feedaread.com/books/The-Birth-of-an-Ecovillage-9781781764923.aspx