Invitation to Members
Lammas shareholders are invited to join in with discussion in
the Virtual Office. Much of the committee debate and discussion
happens in the forum.
The link is:
www.lammasoffice.org.uk
Then click on register to sign on.
You will be asked for a member's password which is rainbow.
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Comment
Origins of Lammas,
By Paul Wimbush
“It’s hard to say where & when Lammas began.
Perhaps it began some six years ago when myself and Tony Wrench
were living at Brithdir Mawr talking about and imagining a low-impact
ecovillage. It felt like a wild dream then. Perhaps it began before
that, some eight years ago when an agenda 21 group lobbied Pembrokeshire
County Council for a low- impact policy. It seemed like a total
long-shot back then.
For me it really took off two years ago when a group of people
gathered around a fire one summer evening to talk about creating
a new ecovillage. The spark took hold there and then. Since that
day I have lived, talked and dreamed Lammas. I can count on my
hands the number of days when I have not worked on the project.
I have loved it.
For me the Lammas project is a largely intuitive affair that
begins in my belly, rises through my heart and is articulated
through thought. The physical manifestation is yet to come. Throughout
the project thus far, my core feeling is one of sincere gratitude
for the opportunity to play a part in it. I believe Lammas has
the potential to really shine. Bright. There is still a long way
to go. And yet already the project feels real to me in some way.
I believe the time has come for green initiatives to flower.
For so long the alternative movement has been a fringe activity
for hippies and eccentrics. Now the movement is becoming mainstream.
And I think we owe our thanks to all those hippies and eccentrics
who have done so much important groundwork in creating tangible
examples of what is possible, against all odds. I think it is
our time to be empowered, clear and creative.
The first wave of residents will be key in bringing the project
to fruition. Their task will be to turn barren fields into homes,
gardens, orchards and crops. It is going to be quite some task.
It is also going to be lots of fun.
There are many people who have played and are playing important
roles in the project. However I would like to specially thank
my wife, Hoppi, who has supported me through this rather crazy
time, and Sue Burke, who has been a cornerstone of faith for the
project.” |
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Lammas News
The planning application will go to the planning committee on
October 9th. A decision will probably be deferred until November
6th to allow the committee time to visit the site.
David Lawrence from Pembrokeshire County Council is currently
very busy compiling and sorting through all the letters of support
and opposition. We are working towards a meeting towards the end
of September at which we hope to be discussing the nature of the
conditions which would accompany planning approval.
In the meantime we are preparing for a Lammas roadshow.
We are planning to hold a drop-in display of the project on the
following days:
23rd October, Narberth
24th October, Haverfordwest
25th October, Cardigan
Kit is making a largescale model of the whole site, including
houses, barns and polytunnels.
A model of the community hub building (designed by architect
Robin Campbell) is being constructed by CIRRIC.
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Ecovillage Pioneers dvd
The ecovillage pioneers film is being met with a great response
from viewers. The summer screenings at festivals went down very
well. The dvd, which is issued as a freebie in the latest edition
of Permaculture news, will also be available from undercurrents.
(www.undercurrents.org.uk)
The film was made by Helen Iles of Undercurrents and is presented
by Paul Wimbush. It charts the story of Helens search for an ecovillage
home, including Crystal waters (Australia), Sunseed (Spain) and
Holtsfield (Swansea). In parallel it charts the story of Lammas
and Paul’s quest for an ecovillage, including Tinkers Bubble
(England), The Village (Ireland), Findhorn (Scotland) and C.A.T.
(Wales). |
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Low-Impact News
from around The UK
Landmatters
Great news! Landmatters Co-operative - a permaculture community
of 18 people, who own and manage 42 acres in South Hams, Devon
have won their appeal against South Hams District Council's decision
last year not to grant them 5 years temporary planning permission!
On Thursday 23rd August, a government planning inspector ruled
that the community should get 3 years temporary planning permission
forthwith.
Most significantly, the Inspector’s ruling explicitly endorsed
the permaculture aspect of the project, which is a planning precedent
for the UK. The planning inspector granted planning permission
for a permaculture holding, integrating agriculture, forestry,
education, ancillary rural enterprises and residential use subject
to the 'low-impact' criteria set out in their planning application.
It marks a further important benchmark for recognition of low-impact
development in the countryside within UK planning policy, following
the example of communities such as Kings Hill and Tinkers Bubble
in Somerset and Fivepenny Farm in West Dorset.
www.landmatters.org.uk
Tony Wrench’s Roundhouse
Tony Wrench and Jane Faith failed in their recent bid for planning
permission from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
Authority members ruled the self-styled eco-development at Brithdir
Mawr was not "sufficiently self-sustainable".
Mr Wrench built the roundhouse in 1997. The national park authority
only became aware of the house on its land in 1998 and has demanded
its demolition ever since.
A truce was called between the two parties while the park authority
drew up the "low impact development" policy to govern
such applications.
But at a meeting members ruled that on balance the roundhouse
was not of "positive environmental benefit" and did
not provide "sufficient livelihood" for residents to
live in a self-sustainable way.
Tone and Jane plan to appeal.
www.thatroundhouse.info
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Registered Office
Our registered office has changed. It is now 22 Holtsfield, Murton,
Swansea, SA3 3AQ
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