‘Third time lucky’ was Lammas’ motto as they resubmitted their planning application in November 2008. Despite being beleaguered by Byzantine bureaucratic bungling the group remain committed to developing nine eco-smallholdings and a community hub building on their first site in Pembs, Wales and the land purchase is going ahead.
The latest application is more than 1,500 pages long and includes reports from the Soil Association, WWF and permaculture experts. It is free for all to see and use from their website. The previous application received over 850 letters of support, yet it was still refused, so it is important that even more people write this time – write asap to planningenquiries@pembrokeshire.gov.uk, including your postal address and the reference: 08/0962/PA.
The latest chapter in Lammas’ planning saga involved being refused the right to appeal as the re-application had no ‘Access Statement’ and so was deemed invalid! Pembs CC then claimed Lammas would have to pay for a new application in full (£3000) despite it being their mistake! Only on the eve before Lammas was to take PCC to the High Court over the issue did they finally relent and allow a new application without further expense!
Lammas’ application comes under PCC’s Low Impact Policy 52. The Policy’s SPG describes developing applications as a “process” (point 3) involving dialogue (points 4-6). Similarly, Local Development Frameworks, which set the planning agenda across the UK ‘must ensure the active meaningful and continued involvement of the community throughout the process’ (UK Government’s Planning Portal http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/). Over two years of working with PCC Lammas remained committed to this ‘process’, lobbying consistently and patiently for meetings, or even replies to emails and phone calls! This has all been fully documented and is available in an eye opening report available at http://www.lammas.org.uk/ecovillage/documents/TheProcess.pdf
So what are the lessons from all this?
Lammas’ softly, softly approach seeking to work with the planning system has led to huge delays during which time the climate crisis worsens and prospective LIDers living locally pour savings into inadequate accommodation! Opportunities to harness people’s energy and develop sustainable solutions are lost. Whilst it remains invaluable to have the LID movement broadened by projects seeking planning permission before commencement, the UK planning system is clearly ill equipped for the speed and scale of the challenges we face! Until it is equipped, it remains essential that people continue to take direct action towards the sustainability transition in every way they can, from occupying airports to building low impact lives.
Lammas can be contacted at www.lammas.org.uk
— Stuart Hodkinson
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On 28-29 August 2009 in Manchester, activist geographers from around the world will share experiences, insights and methods in relation to defending people’s ‘right to stay put’ and resisting gentrification, displacement and privatisation as part of urban regeneration schemes.
‘Third time lucky’ was Lammas’ motto as they resubmitted their planning application in November 2008. Despite being beleaguered by Byzantine bureaucratic bungling the group remain committed to developing nine eco-smallholdings and a community hub building on their first site in Pembs, Wales and the land purchase is going ahead.
A new book on Low Impact Development has just been published. Edited by Jenny Pickerill and Larch Maxey, with contributions from Simon Fairlie, Tony Wrench, Simon Dale and many more, Low Impact Development: The Future in our Hands explores the radical form of sustainable housing and livelihood in tune with the natural environment and offering innovative solutions for the environmental, social and economic challenges of the 21st century.
Engaging Geography is a seminar series (funded by the Economic and Social Research Council) that aims to explore and respond to key challenges facing geography in 2008 and beyond. Our first seminar will be held on Friday and Saturday January 23rd and 24th, 2009 at the Star and Shadow Cinema in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK (see www.starandshadow.org.uk ): ‘How did that happen?’ The creation of time and space for public geographies.
University of Leeds, Rupert Beckett Lecture Theatre, 6-8pm.
The teach-in will examine the origins of the credit crisis and why it has become so severe; the policies now being pursued nationally and internationally; and the long-term economic and political implications, particularly in relation to financial regulation and global governance.
The Permaculture Association (Britain) is a small education and research charity that supports individuals and groups to learn more about the theory and practice of permaculture. It is currently advertising two vacancies for a Project Coordinator and Finance Clerk at its Leeds office. Closing date: 27 June 2008. More information can be downloaded from its website
A former PhD student and current employee Nottingham University faces deportation to Algeria on 1 June following his unjust arrest under the Terrorism Act 2000 after he printed an Al Qaeda manual as a favour for a research student. Read on and see the Free Hicham Yezza campaign.
A new book has been published bringing together the diverse stories about many of the UK’s social centres, along with thoughts on their effectiveness, the problems they encounter, and the political ideas they encapsulate. What’s this place? has been written by activists involved in social centres with support from the Autonomous Geographies project.
Undercurrents have released the latest episode of their video series ‘Living in the Future’ about Lammas and many other ecovillage type projects around the world. Living in the Future highlights how people have come together to build their own homes, grow their own food, and create lively and sustainable communities.
Rob Hopkins has recently released his new book “The Transition Handbook”. For an excellent review of this book by Robert Morgan and a video clip from Caroline Lucas MEP about the transition town movement and the new book, visit: transitionculture.org