Woodlands.co.uk

One Planet Development in Wales

One Planet Development in Wales

A policy for low impact, sustainable living

High on the list of questions we are asked by prospective woodland buyers is whether it’s possible to live in a woodland.  The answer has always been ‘very unlikely’: it can’t be done without planning permission, and it’s nearly impossible to get planning permission.

However, with the Welsh Assembly Government’s scheme “One Wales: One Planet, The Sustainable Development Scheme of the Welsh Assembly Government” it may have become more feasible. The scheme addresses planning in rural areas in general, but also defines the approach to low impact development.

One Planet Developments are developments that through low impact either enhance or do not significantly diminish environmental quality.  The key requirement, for consideration as a One Planet residential development is that over a reasonable period of time (no more than 5 years) the land should provide for the minimum needs of the inhabitants in terms of income, food, energy and waste assimilation, and must be the sole residence of the inhabitants.  Any planning application must be supported by a management plan produced by a “competent person”.

The Lammas Project was one of the first to get started, involving the creation of a new community on agricultural land near the village of Glandwr in Pembrokeshire. It involves the creation of an eco-village of nine families. Construction started in autumn 2009.  The text of their planning application, the first low impact application to be passed in the UK, is available on their website.

There is nothing in the “One Planet Development” policy, however, that requires the creation of an eco-village community: the policy is equally applicable to individual developments.   Please talk to us if you are interested in pursuing a One Planet Development application on any of our woodlands or meadows.

Further information


Comments are closed for this post.

Discussion

Hi Annalena. I think the answer to that is the same as for all planning regulations, and ownership of property in the UK in general, that it is not limited to UK citizens

Chris

15 December, 2021

Do you know whether the program is only available for british citizens?

Annalena

15 December, 2021

My wife and I are looking for some land to to do the one planet wales project. Where would the best place to find a peace of land to do you know where would the best place to get a place for land .

Chris

23 January, 2021

I’m a tai chi and chi gong instructor and a MTB coach. I am looking to build an off grid cabin on woodland where I can teach both cycling and tai chi. Would this be a viable income for OPD or even the ‘Agricultural Prior Notice Consent Form’ route? I am ideally looking for a location in England.

Jon Y

8 September, 2020

Donna – OPD in woodland is definitely feasible. We have recently sold three woods so far this year to people in West Wales planning OPDs. It may be worth having a look through some of the approved applications on the One Planet Council website: http://www.oneplanetcouncil.org.uk/approved-applications/

Chris

21 July, 2020

Hi I’m interested in doing a one planet development in woodland, would this be approved ?
Thank you
Donna

Donna

21 July, 2020

Hi Richard,

We’re interesting in buying a plot of land around that area. Do you have some contact details that we can reach you on for some further info?

Nel Price

19 June, 2017

Hi
Anyone interested in 2 acres of flat land, rural roadside entrance, mains water available in beautiful Pembrokeshire between Haverfordwest and Broad Haven please let me know-could be ideal for
OPD

Richard Evans

7 May, 2017

Am also intrigued by this comment albeit somewhat late in enquiring.
Am moving with my five grown-up children to try to buy some land and live a healthy environmentally friendly life in Monmouthshire and need all the help and advice I can get but not sure how to start or who to ask.
Any guidance will be truly appreciated.

kim wilson

20 February, 2017

This comment made on 17th Jan 2013 by J, where did this come from, I am intrigued.

Damian Selim

14 June, 2015

There is a law that if a man can build a home and have smoke from his fire before sunset then the home and the land within the throw of his axe is legally his, this law. this law like many others cannot be changed or altered unless you were present when the law was made.
the law was made 500 years ago.

J

17 January, 2013

Our policy is not to use the covenant to block or preclude a TAN6 development at a suitable location. The covenant is not necessarily compatible, but, where appropriate, we are willing to modify the covenant. Please talk to us about your plans and requirements.

Chris Colley – Regional Manager for Wales

Chris Colley

31 December, 2011

How does a TAN 6 One Planet Development work with the Woodlands.co.uk covenant, are the two compatible?

Chris

30 December, 2011

It looks like the Welsh Assembly has been very progressive in developing and allowing this policy for Wales. I wonder if the Westminster Government is ever likely to agree to something similar in England?…

Mark

26 September, 2011

Sorry I think I misread that post! I was speaking of the government plan ‘one tree for one child’

Adam

7 March, 2011

I recently got a letter regarding this for my newly born baby boy. It is a great idea to do this and it will also drum up a lot of tourism for those forests where they have been planted.

Adam

7 March, 2011