| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| resistance is fertile |
Steward Community Woodland InquiryJust to say that I have just got back from the Steward Community Woodland Public Inquiry.I think it went fairly well, but it just brings home two things; Firstly how important it is that such great schemes and community involvment in sustainability issues get our full and active support, and secondly, having sat and listened to, and been extensively cross examined by, the National Park Authourity, just how important it is to challenge and shift the mindset of these guys if we are going to find intelligent and practically workable solutions to some really quite urgent problems! |
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| cassy |
I wish them the best of luck with this. I have been following their progress for a couple of years now and I hope they are able to convince the planning authorities that what they are doing is entirely in keeping with the spirit of planning law. We need more projects and people like this. | ||||
| Blue Peter |
Re: Steward Community Woodland Inquiry
Is it more than just mindset, though? There needs to be a change in what they are legally bound to do, which is more or less not to allow building in bits of green. Though, as an aside, which you might be able to comment on, it does seem relatively easy for barns to be converted to dwellings. Any idea how this is done? Peter. |
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| vegplot |
Working woodland in a sustainable manner in natural empathy with the environment is the only real way forward. I hope the message gets across. | ||||
| resistance is fertile |
The main thrust of myevidence as the planning witness was that it is perfectly clear in both the detail and spirit of the current, and certainly the emerging, policy framework that such examples of sustainable rural development are already supported.
What is required is for this to be recognised and appreciated by the Planning Authourities, whio appear to take a more jaded or cynical view that the alignment of Sustainable Development policies is 'greenwash' rather than a mechanism for a step change in the direction of travel, and they appear to think its a case of 'business as usual' rather than time for a rethink. 'Sustainable Development' is only required and prioritised because of the demonstrable 'unsustainablity' of the past models and frameworks, that is its driver. The more people push on the door of, for example, woodland management with a human habitation the sooner this will be appreciated and accepted by other LPA's, if only through precedent and Inspectorate decisions. SCW are a shining example of how such methods and activities can effect a significant change in local attitudes and understanding, and I am so immpressed by the way they have implemnented their plans and conducted themselves throughout their tribulations with the DNPA, who have ignored the previous decision and high court ruling as to why they were allowed to stay previously and have also turned a deaf ear to the overwhelming local support the community enjoy. |
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| Blue Peter |
So, you would encourage other people to go for it? What are their chances of winning in the end? Peter. |
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| resistance is fertile |
Yes, most definitely. Although winning such cases can be harder than the conventional ones it is the very fact that people are willing to push for change that makes change more possible and more likely. As a practice we have a 100% planning success rate, even though this sometimes includes having to go to Inquiry etc in order to get a sensible decision. Each time we go through the process other cases create useful precedent which then makes the chances of further success more likely. |
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| vegplot |
I suspect the reason why planners oppose such community incentives such as this is they fear they no longer have control. Instead of opening their eyes to sustainable activities and become involved in the processes they're immediate reaction is one of defence. Their territory, so to speak, is being invaded they they fear the loss of power and status, they fail to see the common good and instead turn to protectionism.
We also have the influence of centralised thinking where ideas and plans are orchestrated at the national level and paid little heed to regional co-operative frameworks by which natural growth of such projects such as this occurs. However, there are a few shining lights and planners with foresight as well as the people who at ground level are really driving things forward. |
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| resistance is fertile |
The irony is that 'central' policy has now begun to join up and make some good sense, it just is not being implemented.
this has led to the LPA's being seen by the government as the stumbling block to getting things done and has itself been the cause of the re-centralisation of much planning decision making and the impending reforms to the whole planning process. I cannot think it will be long, especially if the economic/housing situation pans out as it looks likely to, before we see a large degree of deregulation and privatisation in the planning system as the only way of achieving targets in an ever more constricted public sector, then, perhaps, the planners will wish they had been paying attention!. |
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| Lorrainelovesplants |
As an aside to this (and slightly off topic), i heard today tht almost a month into 'One Cornwall' a complete farce is going on in the higher eschelons of power. Will be interesting t see how many redundancies are made in say 6 months time. | ||||
| resistance is fertile |
Just a quick update to say that I have reciveed the Inspector's decision Notice a moment ago and we won!! 
All enforcement notices quoshed and Planning Permission granted! 
I'm sure their website will be updated with all the details when they finish celebrating. |
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| cassy |
Brilliant news! Congrats to all involved!
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| Lorrainelovesplants |
Excellent news!
have an icelolly to celebrate. fab news - well done. What a releif! |
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| RichardW |
Good news all round.
Richard |
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| resistance is fertile |
Got this through:
Press Release 2nd June 2009 "ECO-COMMUNITY GRANTED PLANNING PERMISSION TO CONTINUE SUSTAINABLE PROJECT IN WOODLAND Steward Community Woodland was yesterday granted planning permission in a decision by the Planning Inspectorate which represents a significant backing to low impact development and permaculture. The Planning Inspector, Mr Brian Cook, concludes that “the venture has evolved into one where the education resource provided by what is, in effect, a demonstration project of permaculture principles being applied in practice is of significant wider benefit.” Mr Cook also states that “Having regard to the almost total reliance on renewable energy sources and reclaimed/reused materials I believe that the development meets many of the national policy objectives concerning sustainable development.” He granted permission for the project to continue for another 5 years (until June 2014) subject to various conditions. Dan Thompson-Mills of the community stated “We are delighted and thrilled that the Planning Inspector has recognised the tremendous value of this sustainable project, and considers it a worthwhile venture to continue into the future. We are relieved that the planning situation is now resolved so we can continue to live here in a low impact way and progress this educational project.” Steward Community Woodland is a sustainable living and working project in a 32 acre mixed woodland near Moretonhampstead, within Dartmoor National Park in Devon. There are currently 12 adults and 8 children living on the site in low impact dwellings made of wood and other materials from the land along with reused/recycled materials from the land such as windows and board. They are all covered in green tarpaulin and blend into their woodland setting. The project was established in 2000 to demonstrate low impact and permacultural solutions in the context of a woodland community to the many environmental challenges that humanity currently faces (in particular Peak Oil and climate change). After a period of permission (granted on appeal) came to an end in 2007, the community applied for another 5 year period of permission but were turned down by the Dartmoor National Park Authority. The community appealed resulting in a Public Inquiry held over 3 days at the end of April 2009. Members of the community spend their time managing the woodland sustainably, growing organic food, maintaining their low impact dwellings and infrastructure, managing and developing their renewable energy systems, and welcoming visitors and volunteers to the project. The community lives totally off-grid, without connection to any outside services (apart from having a telephone line). While much of their income is in the form of subsistence from the land, some members of the community currently work part-time in other ethically-based work to generate the relatively small amount of cash income needed alongside that. However, the community has developed an extensive course programme to generate the cash income they need while providing an important educational resource. The Planning Inspector states in his decision “Mr Goldring [CEO of the permaculture Association] emphasised the value to be gained from what is in effect a working example of a permaculture system and, in my view, the increased educational role planned represents a further stage in the project.” The courses being provided cover subjects such as permaculture design, low impact living for families, off-grid renewable energy, wild food forays, and tree felling using hand tools. Some members of the community are also developing enterprises based on woodland crafts and running Forest School sessions. The Inspector concludes that while “it does not appear that any of the individual elements of the project are innovative in themselves...it is my view that the value of the project is its holistic nature.” He reports that “Mr Goldring explained that the Community was one of the best developed and most cohesive and that a number of lessons were being learned about how it might be possible to live in and from a wood.” He also notes that “an independent assessment of the carbon footprint of the Community residents shows it to be about a third of the UK average.” The community are extremely grateful to all the support they have received from people locally and further afield." |