The
Lammas Project is a voluntary organisation
that has been working to promote low impact development for the last three
years. It was involved in the development of a Low Impact planning policy
in Pembrokeshire, the first county in the UK to introduce one. It has since,
with others, been lobbying for similar national policies. A Wales-wide policy
is now in public consultation (contribute) and england is going in the same
direction.
Meanwhile Lammas has been trying to get permission for a settlement of nine 5 acre low-impact smallholdings under Pembrokeshire's policy.
Pembrokesthire (SW Wales) introduced this far-sighted planning policy allowing low impact building and living tied to working the land for a simple livelihood and in so doing, became one of the most ecologically progressive provinces in the western world. They have however been slow to pass any applications under this policy. The National Park have approved the only application made to them following an appeal. The County Council have had ours and one other application. These have both been refused and are currently under appeal. Pembrokeshire is currently redrafting its development plan to remove the policy in 2011.
Lammas hopes to win its appeal and in doing so, to set a precident which will allow future applications to be passed more easily, at a local level. It has also been lobbying Pembrokeshire to retain the policy.
Lammas also provides advice and solidarity to those pursuing low impact living elsewhere. For more details about the project see www.lammas.org.uk
