One Planet Development – Woodland Co-housing Plot Available

Two potential off grid developments plot near Bethlehem, in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (formerly known as the Brecon Beacons), Wales, are available for those who would like to pursue the One Planet Development (OPD) or Rural Enterprise route as part of a self-build co-housing scheme through the Coed Talylan Land Trust, founded by Sara and James. You can read about the aims of the trust here. In short, the Trust has a focus on education, land based livelihoods and food sovereignty, and it is expected that OPD applicants are interested in the aims of the Trust.

The opportunity is open to expressions of interest until Aug 31st 2024.

The OPD plots are suitable for wood related and smaller land based horticulture businesses and we are ideally looking for people who have skills in these areas who are now looking for land to apply them to.

The plots are within a larger 70 acre woodland of which 30 acres are dedicated to woodland conservation. There is so far one OPD approved at committee which is managed by James and Sara. James runs a small mushroom business and Sara a woodwork enterprise. They have two children (7 and 11).

The prospective plot holder must be interested in working co-operatively to manage resources and steward the land beyond being just neighbours. The plots are also a part of the wider objectives of the Land Trust and act together as stewards for the woodland as a whole. It is welcomed, but not required, that the other applicants take an active interest in the management of the separate 30 acre conservation area.

Therefore, this opportunity is suitable for people interested in woodland life and conservation/eco-restoration, while also sharing part of its day to day life with others and cooperating in meeting subsistence targets while also having their own separate dwelling, businesses and daily routines to attend to. The plots are divided so that each plot have their own primary garden and house area, while woodland and extra growing areas are available under common management or other management agreements tied to the OPD/Rural Enterprise requirement. This means that beyond the immediate plot one would have access to 30 acres of land to pursue any appropriate activities on the land.

Besides being a location for a sustainable low-impact home, Coed Talylan has been growing into a small course centre for learning and sharing knowledge about alternative and natural ways of meeting the challenges of the environmental crisis. The courses on carpentry and mushroom cultivation, One Planet Development and renewable energy technology have been running over the past years. If prospective participants are interested in this aspect of the project they would be welcome to run courses, related to low-impact development, as part of their business activities. A prospective plot holder must therefore also be prepared to have groups of people come to the woodland and be accommodated in the designated areas for the courses.

The Dwelling

The house design for the Plot must follow similar design features as for the first house. The design for the low impact zero carbon house was based on several considerations. The access road to the land is national park land and this easement was negotiated with the park based on the dwelling being of temporary nature regulated by the caravan act. This means that the house will have to comply with maximum dimensions of 6.8 m x 20 m single storey and must be built as if it could be disassembled in no more than two pieces. A public foot path above the woodland necessitates a house design that blends in with the land with a mono-pitch and green roof as well as natural cladding. Being part of a self build co-housing co-operatieve means that mutual support can be given in constructing the dwelling with the experience shared with the first build.

Shared Infrastructure

In the woodland there is a spring gravity fed throughout the site with good water pressure. The tracks and access ways were built and are now maintained from a small gravel quarry on the land.  There is planning permission for a barn extension for shared use. This larger extension is a part of the first OPD planning application which will be a shared space under a cooperative housing agreement. The barn extension will accommodate food processing (micro dairy, fermenting, canning, food drying, food storage), and workshop/classroom space as a shared resource. There is also an outdoor covered workshop for use for carpentry/bodging.

The plot will have its own solar array but can be plugged into the existing minigrid and there is potential for creating a shared hydro system.

There is a small compact tractor to use for general woodland work, and a two wheel BCS tractor plus various other tools and equipment.

Joining the Project

Coed Talylan Land Trust is a community benefit society with agroecological principles at heart. The wider areas of the land are to be managed as a commons through a housing co-operative but with a long term leasehold with the Trust for each plot. The land trust is currently benefitting from a single investor but will refinance through a membership share-offer once the second plot holder is found. Currently we are also submitting a Heritage Lottery Bid to refinance the conservation area.

As we have already taken the first OPD through planning, all the main planning surveys have been carried out. House drawings and maps are also available for use. Therefore a new planning pre-application can be submitted relatively quickly. It is also worth mentioning, that despite being in the national park, the first OPD was agreed at committee unanimously and the OPD values fits with the Bannau Brycheiniog’s ambitious new management plan regarding sustainable development.

The premium of the lease of a Plot is currently placed at £50,000 and a small srvice charge is paid to the CTLT to go towards maintence of shared infrastrucutre, and between the plot holders there may be a small retal fee to contribute to interest payments on shares. These details will be published shortly. This means as a plot holder you must be willing to be part of securing the land and pioneer the project. Do get in touch for the details.

Here is a link to a google map that show the land with the proposed plot outlines:

MAP – PLOT OUTLINES

If you are interested in this opportunity please fill in this Expresion of Interest form below.

Coed Talylan: OPD Plot – Expression of Interest

We will have two open days on the 8th and 11th August and we will also hold 1 webinar for applicants to ask questions on the 27th August

Looking forward to hearing from you, and do phone with any questions that you may have 07597231371

James and Sara