Overview Tom O Kane and Pascale Mesple Application for a Low-Impact Development in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Overview

Tom O Kane and Pascale Mesple

Application for a low-impact development in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

This document has been compiled to give an overview of the planning application for a low-impact smallholding near Llanon, Pembrokeshire.

The application came under a local low-impact policy (Policy 47, Low-Impact Development), alongside national guidance (One Planet Development - TAN6 and PPW Chapter 4 – the presumption in favour of sustainable development.

The planning process took approximately 18 months and in early 2013 the application was refused on appeal by an Inspector appointed by the Welsh Government. The refusal was made primarily on the grounds that the proposed project would have an adverse visual impact on the locality.

The application was considered by many to be exemplary.

Contents

1. Location plan 2. Management Plan 3. Dwellinghouse drawings 4. Design and Access statement 5. Appendix 3 - Landscape and Visual Impact 6. Appendix 4 – Transport assessment and travel plan 7. Appendix 5 – Community Impact Assessment

Location plan – not to scale

Management Plan for a Low Impact Development at Llanon, Pembrokeshire.

Tom O’Kane & Pascale Mesple Re submission - May 2012

Executive Summary The following information supports the planning application for a low impact dwelling, barn, polytunnel & education room under PCNPA policy 47 & WAG policy TAN 6, One Planet Development.

The information provides a clear plan as to how our family will sustain ourselves in terms of producing food from the land & accessing water & power. It demonstrates how we will be providing a valuable resource to local people in terms of fresh organic produce, educational opportunities & partnerships with other local organic growers & businesses to work toward creating a more sustainable community.

Our environmental impact is outlined in detail. We aim to bring a number of benefits to local biodiversity through our land management techniques. We will also help to reduce wider environmental degradation through both our choice of construction & ongoing site management.

A number of personal & professional studies included within the appendices act as supporting evidence for the proposal.

Content

1.0 Site location plans, maps & drawings (These are included as separate pdf’s. They are to be found in relevant attached folders). They consist of the following; 1.1 Site location map in relation to Trefin. 6inch to 1mile 2010 OS map Site location in relation to neighbours. Scale 1/2500

Site plan scale 1:2500 Location plan car park Location plan house

House floor plan House cross section to show structural elements House elevations N E S W House fenestration detail Detailed roof plan house

Barn floor plan Barn roof plan Barn elevation N S E W

Polytunnel elevation & floor plan

Education room elevations & floor plan

Cabin accommodation

Compost toilet

Duck shed all elevations

Site cross section showing fall of land

Site cross section showing fall of land & buildings

Site elevation with no vegetation Site elevation with vegetation

Illustrative drawings & photo’s

Illustrative perspective looking from Trefin x4 1. At a distance with no trees 2. At a distance with trees 3. Close up with no trees 4. Close up with trees

1.2 1907 field boundaries 25inch to 1 mile

2.0 Introduction 2.1 Vision Statement 2.2 Introducing our family

3.0 General Description of the project and its layout 3.1 Tenure 3.2 Management Structure 3.3 Site Infrastructure – proposed buildings & land use 3.3.1 Layout Overview – buildings 3.3.2 Layout Overview – Cropping & planting 3.3.3 Layout Overview – Livestock 3.3.4 Public Transport information 4.0 Environmental Information 4.1 Climate 4.2 Hydrology 4.3 Geomorphology 4.4 Geology 4.5 Soils 4.6 Ecological Survey 4.7 Archaeology 4.8 Land Use 4.9 Statutory designations 4.10 Landscape 4.11 Environmental benefits brought by the development

5.0 Design, Construction and Landscape Impact Information 5.1 How energy is supplied 5.1.1 Space heating 5.1.2 Heating Water 5.2 How water is supplied 5.3 Sewerage & waste disposal requirements. 5.4 Proposed access, cycle & car parking arrangements 5.5 Buildings 5.5.1 House 5.5.2 Barn & livestock space 5.5.3 Education room 5.5.4 Polytunnel 5.5.5 Farm Shop 5.6 Track ways & parking 5.7 Environmental impact of planting, building & landscaping. 5.8 Division of land use

6.0 Sustainable Livelihood 6.1 Permaculture zoning of the site 6.2 Annual household needs assessment 6.2.1 Heating fuel 6.2.2 Cooking fuel 6.2.3 Water provision 6.2.4 Food needs (present consumption) 6.2.5 Basic clothing needs 6.2.6 Household electricity needs 6.2.7 Annual dwelling maintenance 6.2.8 Travel breakdown (projected basic needs) 6.2.9 Other overheads 6.2.10 Annual Household Needs Totals

6.3 Detailed evaluation of goods produced from the land annually for home consumption. 6.3.1 Goods for home consumption 6.3.2 Financial values of land goods & services for home consumption 6.3.3 Annual availability of home produce 6.3.4 Other goods & services values 6.3.5 Total value of home produce, services & land based income to year 5 6.3.6 Calculation

7.0 Business plan 7.1 Organic vegetable & seed production 7.2 Fruit and Nut Crops 7.2.1 Strawberries 7.2.2 Apples 7.2.3 Raspberries 7.2.4 Hazelnuts 7.3 Additional income 7.5 Overall land based business income 7.6 Production, sales & activity timetable 7.7 Overall staffing 7.8 How is the business financed?

8.0 Policy 52 / 47 Low Impact Development – Making A Positive Contribution.

8.1 The proposal does meet the tests set out in PCNPA planning policy 52 / 47.

8.1.1 The proposal will make a positive environmental, social and/or economic contribution with public benefit.

8.1.2 All activities and structures on site have low impact in terms of the environment and use of resources. 8.1.3 Opportunities to reuse buildings which are available in the proposal’s area of operation have been investigated and shown to be impracticable or are incorporated. 8.1.4 The development is well integrated into the landscape and does not have adverse visual effects. 8.1.5 The proposal requires a countryside location and is tied directly to the land on which it is located, and involves agriculture, forestry or horticulture. 8.1.6 The proposal will provide sufficient livelihood for and substantially meet the needs of residents on the site. 8.1.7 The number of adult residents should be directly related to the functional requirements of the enterprise. 8.1.8 In the event of the development involving members of more than one family, the proposal will be managed and controlled by a trust, co-operative or other similar mechanism in which the occupiers have an interest. 8.2 Work programmes & number of workers needed 8.3 Outline of how objectives will be monitored to achieve targets. 8.4 How does the scale of development relate to the needs of the proposal 8.5 Vehicle movements & numbers during construction phase. How will it be minimised? 8.6 Functional need

9.0 Sati’s House Designs & Field Layout Plan

List of Appendices

1. Soil survey 2. Extended phase 1 ecological survey 3. Landscape & visual assessment 4. Transport & travel plan 5. Community impact assessment 6. Ecological footprint report 7. Carbon analysis 8. Rotations, crop values & income streams 9. Letters of support 10. Energy evidence 11. Design & sustainability statement 12. Water letter 13. COSH pre assessment 14. Opposition to the proposal 15. Best Foot Forward Report

What has been updated for the May re submission?

• Farm shop removed from plans • Buildings relocated to original positioning as in first application • Many more detailed drawings, including site layout plans, illustrative drawings & improved cross section drawings • Inclusion of a permissive public footpath • Adjustment of household needs assessment to reach a more realistic figure of over 75% by year 4, rather than year 3 & over 100% by year 5 • The following documents have been adjusted or added to account for the above changes & to provide more information o The management plan has small changes throughout, particularly to any figures, site layout description, energy supply etc o Appendix 3, 4, 8 & 10 updated o Appendix 9 many new letters of support o Appendix 14 opposition to the proposal o Appendix 15 best foot forward report

1.0 Site location plans, maps & drawings (These are included as separate pdf’s. Please see the definitive list in the content page above);

1.2 1907 field boundaries 25inch to 1 mile

2.0 Introduction

2.1 Vision Statement To work consciously with this piece of land, our family, the local and wider community and environment for a greater understanding and benefit of all. • To create a sustainable, inspiring and functional family home. • To produce and sell a range of home grown organic products. • To offer educational opportunities to a cross section of the local and wider community. • To enhance and protect the diversity of the site. • To live a low impact lifestyle for local and global benefit.

A note on the aims of the national park. The Environment Act 1995 revised the original legislation and set out two statutory purposes for National Parks in England and Wales: • Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage • Promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of National Parks by the Public

When National Parks carry out these purposes they also have the duty to: • Seek to foster the economic and social well being of local communities within the National Parks

This development complements all of the aims of the national park. We endeavour to work in partnership with the national park to complement & make real their purpose on the ground level.

We seek to; • Conserve & enhance wildlife by conserving & creating a diverse range of habitat area’s for native plants & species of the NP. • Enhance the beauty of the area by building on the existing landscape character of woodland, tree’s & open fields. • Create harmonious structures in fitting with the natural rise & fall of the landscape, created from local natural materials & complemented by single storey green roofing & appropriate landscaping. • Conserve the cultural heritage through choosing a Welsh speaking area, with a bilingual school & through promoting the use of the

welsh language within our work, training & the upbringing of our children. • Engage school children, community groups & the general public in understanding & enjoying the creation of a sustainable livelihood within the national park. This will be offered through training, therapeutic work, open days, volunteering & the provision of a permissive public footpath through the site. • Create many opportunities to foster the economic & social wellbeing of local communities. This would be through our business, training, volunteering & partnership work with other local people & groups. • Specifically working in partnership with other local organic growers & businesses to build the market for healthy local produce, raising the opportunity to gain income from green tourism, helping to make the area an exemplar in green tourism, providing new potential incomes for growers & establishing a network to train a new generation of small scale producers with social conscience.

As in many area’s of Wales, but particularly within these beautiful coastal regions, it is extremely difficult for young families to create a home & business. The proposal that we are putting forward strikes right at the heart of this matter. We seek to explore new opportunities which have the potential to breathe much needed life back into ageing communities. Small farms are becoming obsolete as the land is bought up by large land owners, farmed on an industrial scale & homes kept for holiday makers or sold on to those retiring into the area. As we face tough economic times, the price of food & fuel is on the rise, more people are being made unemployed & feeling disconnected from a sense of place & purpose. We are offering one small but very real opportunity to people of the national park which fosters their economic & social wellbeing. In order to fulfil its objectives & remain a sustainable & vibrant area, the National park needs to encourage young families, new small businesses & outward looking innovative land based enterprise.

2.2 Introducing our family We are a family of 4, Tom (39), Pascale (37), Sati (6) & Sonam (3). Subject to planning approval we will be moving on to 15 acres of land near to the village of Trefin, St. Davids, Pembrokeshire. We plan to build a home & social enterprise here using natural locally sourced materials. We will be largely self sufficient. Our enterprises will include selling organic fruit, nuts & vegetables. We will also work with local schools, youth &

12 adult groups to provide training in practical sustainable development, building personal skills & self confidence.

We have over 15 years experience in similar forward thinking land based projects, based in Ireland, France, North, Mid & South Wales.

Tom has a range of experiences well suited to developing what we propose. He grew up on a small holding on the Gower Peninsula. After completing school he has gained the following experiences;

• Worked for one year on organic farms in Australia & New Zealand. • Three years in Camphill Community, Ireland. One year organic horticultural apprenticeship with a self sufficient community of adults with learning disabilities. Two years as head gardener. Here he was responsible for organic food growing, livestock care, including milking & meat production. Besides being a full time carer & managing volunteers, he was supplying food to a community of 25 adults & their own restaurant. He met Pascale here & then moved to France for one year where he gained experience in large scale organic vegetable growing & dry stone walling. • University of Wales Aberystwyth, Tom completed a degree in Organic Farming, including 8 months in Copenhagen specializing in European organic developments & the human context of organic farming. • Two years with a local organic grower, specialising in organic salad & tomato crops. • One with the Red Cross as a youth worker. • Three years as a sustainability officer in the Dyfi Valley. Here he worked with ecodyfi on a range of projects including local food, energy efficiency, waste management & recycling. The job engaged local schools, businesses & the general public. Work involved partnerships with the Centre for Alternative Technology, Powys Energy Agency, the West Wales Eco Centre, Gwynedd, Ceredigion & Powys county councils.

After their first child was born the family moved to the Llyn Peninsula to work with Menter Y Felin Uchaf, where as a family they established a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project supplying organic vegetables to 30 local families & teaching organic growing to the local primary & secondary schools. They also had a contract to provide work

13 experience to disaffected youth & managed a large group of regular & visiting volunteers.

They then moved back to Tom’s home ground on the Gower Peninsula, where Tom was employed by Down to Earth Project to teach organic growing, establish a garden for disaffected youth & to run a practical programme to make Gower school grounds more sustainable. This involved full school consultation, volunteer, pupil & teacher management, training teachers in use of the outdoors, organic food growing & building with earth & timber.

Pascale, originally from France trained in philosophy. She is a dynamic, & competent mother of two who is experienced in teaching a range of practical & theoretical subjects, as well as being gifted with many practical & artistic skills. After completing her education in France, she gained the following experiences;

• One year in Ireland, working in a land based community for adults with learning disabilities. Here she was responsible for practical work on the farm & garden as well as caring for residents & cooking on a daily basis. • One year in France, gained experience in small scale goat farming & helped run a land based business in the Cevennes. • One year in Ireland, training in a craft college where she learned practical skills such as weaving & pottery. • One year teaching weaving & philosophy for the Aberystwyth adult education department. • Three years with the ‘All Wales Forum of Parents & Carers of People with Learning Disabilities’ as a community development officer. During this time she gained a great insight into partnership working across Ceredigion & Powys, with central, local government & service users. • Two years on the Llyn Peninsula, helping to establish a CSA programme with educational elements as outlined above.

Pascale is presently a mother & a trained yoga teacher. She established valuable classes within rural communities whilst on the Llyn Peninsula & continues to teach in Swansea & Gower.

As a family we have been lucky to live in some beautiful areas within Wales & have a great love for its language & culture. We relish the opportunity & challenge of bringing this proposal into fruition, thereby nourishing our family, the local community & the land we will live on.

Tom is Welsh & both our children were born in Wales. Pascale has had a close relationship to Wales & Welsh people since the age of 13 when her school was partnered with Tom’s school in south Wales. We all speak & continue to learn Welsh. It is our desire that our children have the opportunity to learn about Welsh language & culture. This was one reason for choosing to live in this area & near to a bilingual school with strong links to promoting Welsh culture & heritage.

3.0 General Description of the project and its layout

3.1 Tenure The site will be owned & occupied by our family. It will be a mixed small holding for environmental regeneration, home produce, market produce, crafts & educational work.

3.2 Management Structure Family business & social enterprise. The farm will be managed by our family of four. Due to our environmental, social & economic aims, we have decided to establish ourselves as a not for profit company. This gives us the advantage of being able to receive grant funding for revenue aspects of any training, educational or volunteer management work.

3.3 Site Infrastructure – proposed buildings & land use

3.3.1 Layout Overview – buildings For detailed buildings information please refer to section 5 below & to our site drawing in section 1. The layout of the site has been carefully considered, taking into account feedback from local residents, climate, soil quality, aspect, visual impact & views. For further details, please refer to appendix 1 soil survey, appendix 2 ecological survey, appendix 3 landscape & visual assessment.

House This is situated to the north side of an existing hedge bank at the centre east of the property. We have given consideration to placing the buildings

15 by the roadside, but consider this position lower in the field will have far less visual impact. The landscaping & tree planting patterns will fit well to create minimal visual impact here. It is aligned with present development at Binchurn Farm to the East & properties on the north side of Llanon. All area’s of the site are easily accessible from here.

Barn Situated as part of the home cluster to the east of the house, this provides workshop space, food storage, packing space/tractor parking, winter livestock housing, hay, straw and general storage space. The north wall acts as a woods store, where wood is covered by the overhanging green roof.

Polytunnel Situated in a hollow to the north west of the property (to avoid visual impact) & in the main fruit growing area. The polytunnel will serve as a hub for production of high value seed, salad & tomato crops to local families, businesses & tourists. It will also serve to provide a greater variety of foods for home consumption throughout the seasons.

Education Room Situated within the home cluster to the south of the house, this will serve as a communal meeting space. It will be for use by educational groups, volunteers, local residents & our family.

3.3.2 Layout Overview – Cropping & planting

Agroforestry Area & Wildlife Reserve To the west of the site lies low sheltered woodland with a small stream running through it. This area is presently the richest area of the site in terms of biodiversity. We aim to enhance & retain these qualities through pond creation, coppicing of invasive non native species & careful management following advice from our ecological survey.

We aim to combine the wildlife area with a minimal input agroforestry system. This will be developed sympathetically in balance with present native species. The microclimate here is conducive to the development of an agroforestry system, similar to one developed by Martin Crawford in Totnes, Devon. (see http://www.agroforestry.co.uk/ ). This area, once established with a range of edible perennial tree, shrub & ground crops,

16 would have three key functions. It would feed our family during the late spring, early summer vegetable gap, act as an educational resource & a wildlife reserve. Orchards Soft fruit, nut & fruit trees for commercial production will initially be established to the north east corner of the two western fields. Here they are afforded most protection from south westerly & northerly winds, whilst gaining maximum solar aspect & being sited in good quality, moist, but well draining soils. As the newly planted broadleaf woodland establishes, fruit & nut trees will be planted to the sheltered side of these areas. We will select fruit tree’s with resistance to prevailing weather conditions. We can attain this advice from two sources. Ian Sturrock is an apple tree expert in North Wales who specialises in old Welsh varieties. Gerald White is based in Pembrokeshire & specialises in local varieties.

Grazing Hay & Cereals The present two large fields will be divided into four fields of roughly 2.5 acres each. This creates a more conducive environment for crop production, wildlife & human enjoyment. Field use will be rotated between vegetable crops, livestock, green manures & cereal production. (See rotation plans attached in appendix 8). The map in section 1.11 illustrates the field layout in 1907. This pattern would be more conducive to the kind of farming system we would create. Older maps from the 1800’s show the site as being divided into many far smaller parcels. The area is renowned for it’s medieval strip fields. It is of benefit to the heritage of the national park that some of these older field patterns are re-created. In this case, visitors will be able to experience these benefits through open days & a public permissive footpath.

Vegetable & Seed Crops These will be established in the early years in the south east area of the site as this area has the most fertile soil & is positioned close to the home. We will grow a range of vegetable crops for local sale & home produce. Seed crops will be grown initially for a local seed company & once we are certified organic / biodynamic then we will grow seed for national companies. Crops will be grown within this field on a traditional four year rotation with fertility gained through composting & some green manuring. We will be using a no dig method to build soil fertility (where appropriate) without further disturbance created by soil inversion.

Woodland A partly funded system of native woodland replanting will be carried out throughout the site to increase biodiversity, create wildlife corridors, reduce wind speed, act as visual barriers to building & for beautification. Woodland re-plant will also include areas of short rotation coppice & orchard. (See tree planting map in section 1). We will take advice on local provenance/native planting. The main system of re-planting has already been funded by GLASTIR. The GLASTIR woodland advisor who lives within a few miles of the site has selected varieties that will suit this environment & soil. This advice is based on many years of local knowledge, formal training & experience. Trees will be planted in a form which allows the more sensitive varieties to develop to the sheltered side of those more resistant to the prevailing weather.

3.3.3 Layout Overview – Livestock Livestock will be kept for home consumption, educational benefits, to manage grassland, for companionship & to disperse fertility throughout the site. Ducks will be kept in the vegetable cropping area primarily to convert slugs into omelettes for us. They will also build fertility in the soil & excess eggs can be sold. Chickens will be kept in the vegetable cropping area to reduce pests, cultivate & fertilize soil. Eggs will be for home consumption & excess for sale. Goats will be kept for milk, cheese, butter, meat & sale of kids. They will graze within the rotation. Sheep will be kept for home consumption. They will graze within the rotation. A horse or a pair of Dexter cattle will be considered at a later date for possible transport & for field cultivation.

3.3.4 Public Transport information (For further detail see transport assessment & travel plans appendix 4).

The fields are within easy walking distance (approximately ½ mile) from a bus stop. The service has a number of daily buses between Fishguard & St Davids.

From Fishguard there is a rail link which runs on a daily basis & links us to the rest of the UK & Europe. There is a school bus, which will transport our children to the local primary school in Croesgoch. The school is also within easy cycling distance (1.5 miles) or walking distance via a public footpath (1 mile).

Pedestrian & road access The fields are accessed from a quiet minor road a short distance from the A487. The present gate is set back approximately 4 metres from the road. We plan to increase this to 7 metres to allow a vehicle to pull off the road & stop whist opening the gate. From the coast path & the local village of Trefin, there is a short footpath via neighbouring fields. The village of Square & Compass with garage & shop are within easy walking / cycling distance. Approximately ½ mile.

4.0 Environmental Information

4.1 Climate Extracted from http://www.envf.port.ac.uk/geo/courses/pembroke/climate.htm

The most important characteristic of the Pembrokeshire climate is its maritime nature, accentuated by

a) the macroscale position of the county on the fringe of Europe b) the local position on a peninsula surrounded on three sides by water

Thus the area is exposed to air-mass invasions from a variety of directions, with open sea-tracks to the north, south and west. This makes for:

1. moist conditions with frequent rainfall (although often relatively low intensity drizzle), distributed throughout the year 2. mild temperatures due to the moderating effect of the sea 3. frequently cloudy conditions as the humid air-masses are associated with low cloud bases 4. relatively low insolation receipt due to the frequent cloud cover 5. strong wind speeds, due to both local exposure and the coastal position and mountainous nature of the region 19

The air-mass regime is dominated by two types. The first is polar maritime (Pm) arriving from the north and west, across the Irish Sea. This air-mass is therefore moist and cool in summer, and relatively cold in the winter (it is still warmed slightly by the warmer sea in winter). As the air-mass moves south it is warmed from beneath and becomes unstable allowing the development of showers and cumuliform clouds. These can be heavy near the coast and on the hills, but in between visibility is usually good and there are sunny breaks.

The second main air-mass is tropical maritime (Tm) which approaches from the south-west, being very mild in winter but sometimes muggy in summer. The air-mass is nearly always humid and low cloud bases are normal, often below the highest summits, thus being associated with poor visibility and hill fog. When conditions are unstable strong orographic enhancement of precipitation can occur, especially common with passing warm fronts.

In between these competing flows of maritime air are periods of calmer anticyclonic conditions, with drier continental air coming from the east (across land). The subsidence of such air as it reaches Pembrokeshire enhances the dryness and usually the conditions are clear and cloud free. Thus temperatures can be low in winter with frost and ice, but hot and sunny in summer, the ideal conditions for the development of sea-breezes in coastal regions. Because Pembrokeshire is far away from the continent the frequency of continental outbreaks is relatively low and thus the relative mildness of the area is accentuated.

This overall mildness is reflected in a long growing season and lack of frost. The rainfall regime consists of a relatively wet autumn and early winter, but a relatively dry spring and early summer. Between March and June the sea is cooler than the land and this has a stabilising effect on the atmosphere, thus decreasing rainfall. Also the frequency of westerly winds is least during the spring and anticyclones are more common, increasing the tendency towards relative dryness.

4.2 Hydrology Presently there are two water courses entering the property. One enters the south west field & appears to be a spring which surfaces in a neighbouring property. This is a slow steady trickle, which as yet we do not know if it runs all year. It was running on initial inspection in October 2010 after a dry period & in June 2011 after an extensive dry period. The

20 second water body is a stream which enters the woodland area from a neighbouring property to the west. Both of these waters join in the woodland area & then leave the property to the western boundary of the northern field.

4.3 Geomorphology The main area of the site is made up of two fields sloping slightly to the north. These are fairly protected from the south west winds, but open to the north winds coming off the sea. The woodland area to the west of the site is lower lying & fairly flat. This appears to have been formed by water movement eating away at the land as water travels toward the sea below.

4.4 Geology The site appears to be underlain by Ordovician rocks. These were formed between 440 & 500 million years ago. Within the landscape at this time, igneous rocks pushed up through sedimentary materials left by previous sea levels. The present rocks underlying this site are sedimentary of this origin. (See http://www.pembrokeshire-online.co.uk/geolmap.htm )

4.5 Soils An initial investigation using a soilscape website, which provides a general picture for the geographical area, gave the following analysis. (See http://www.landis.org.uk/soilscapes/ ) • Freely draining acid loamy soils over rock • Medium to low fertility • Loamy texture

Historically, the previous farmer (according to his son) grew a range of crops on this land including wheat & barley until the mid 80’s. Since then it has not been ploughed, but has been cut for hay & silage. We believe it was re-seeded between 5 & 10 years ago by direct seeding.

The following survey was carried out by Tom as taught in biodynamic soil analysis training. It is a series of practical soil tests that give an immediate picture to the farmer of their soil qualities. Whilst the soilscape website gives a basic overview of local soils, there will actually be a great variation over short distances. For example we have a completely different soil in the scrub woodland to that of the fields.

Basically it involves;

1. Observation of plants as soil indicator species. 2. Feel of soil when penetrating with fork. 3. Colour, layering appearance, smell, feel. 4. Measurement of soil horizons. 5. Measurement of plant rooting depths. 6. Worm count. 7. Soil texture test. 8. pH test. 9. Other observations.

Overall Summary of soils The two field areas are fairly good growing soils with excellent drainage, good structure, medium fertility & pH levels. There is a relatively shallow soil throughout the site before arriving on rocky subsoil, but existing top soil is good & deep enough. I feel confident to grow all of the crops included within this business plan. Fertility is lower then we would require at present due to its working history, but this can be quickly amended through organic & biodynamic soil management. We will carry out soil operations & fertility building measures on areas for crop production to include; • Initial home mixed compost of manure, seaweed, wood ash, volcanic rock dust, straw & biodynamic preparations. • No dig raised bed systems where appropriate, to maximise soil biodiversity & fertility. • Minimal till methods on the wider farm, to maximise soil biodiversity & fertility. • Use of fertility building green manures. • Use of fertility building biodynamic preparations. • Rotation of livestock within the overall farming system. • Appropriate timing of cultivation to reduce soil stress in overly wet or dry conditions.

The woodland pasture area in which we plan to establish a woodland garden will be worked with over many years to gradually establish perennial crops, which will grow within the existing natural habitat. We will take care to integrate crops with the natural habitat already established. We will make use of raised drier areas for plantings & plant into mounds. Creation of a small pond & streams will also help to manage the wet soil in this area. (For full soil survey details, please see appendix 1).

4.6 Ecological Survey An extended phase one ecological survey has been carried out. (Please see appendix 2). The following recommendations were made with this survey.

Recommendation 1 : It is recommended that existing hedgerows receive additional plantings of native local provenance tree stock to close existing gaps and improve the ecological connectivity of the site. Recommendation 2 : It is recommended that in the scrub woodland, the locally dominant sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus receive either thinning or coppicing long term management in order to prevent it dominating the remaining more open grassland habitat. Recommendation 3 : Until the plant has been eradicated form the site, no ground works should take place within 7m of the Japanese knotweed stand in order to prevent any further spread within the site.

4.7 Archaeology As far as we know there are no archaeological remains on the site.

4.8 Land Use Past land use. Maps & studies from the 1840’s show that the present 3 fields were then divided into approximately 13 small parcels. These included pasture, arable, wet land, a house and a cottage. A Map from the 1907 (See section 1.6) show what are now the main 2 fields, were divided into 4 small enclosures. More recently, the previous farmer (according to his son) grew a range of crops on this land including wheat & barley until the mid 80’s. Since then it has not been ploughed, but has been cut for hay & silage. It was re- seeded between 5 & 10 years ago by direct seeding. The woodland area was used as rough grazing for sheep.

Present land use – the land is presently pasture. There is approximately 1.5 acres of rough grazing & woodland. Since we have owned the land (December 2010), we have endeavoured to raise its fertility, through the application of biodynamic preparations & application of manure. The woodland area has been fenced off to avoid disturbance by the sheep & to allow natural plants to flourish.

4.9 Statutory designations This site is within Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

4.10 Landscape Looking to the north it is only a short distance to the sea. The majority of surrounding land is open field, growing a range of cereal, energy & livestock fodder crops. There are many smallholdings, farms & holiday homes dotted around the landscape. To the north is the village of Trefin. Two smaller hamlets stand close by to the south east & south west. There are many hedgerows & some small copses of trees. For full details, please see landscape assessment appendix 3.

4.11 Environmental benefits brought by the development We will carry out the recommendations from the ecological report discussed in point 4.6 & detailed in appendix 2. These include;

• Additional plantings of native local provenance tree stock in hedgerows. • Coppice / manage Sycamore in scrub woodland. • No ground works within 7m of Japanese knotweed.

Following our own experiences & advice from our ecologist, we will in addition carry out the following measures;

1 – Retention of the scrub woodland area primarily as an area for diversity of plants & wildlife. This is already clearly the most ecologically diverse area of the site. It is a haven in the landscape for birds, foxes, badgers, & invertebrates. We seek to retain & enhance these aspects.

2 - Pond creation in the wetland woodland area. To create a more diverse habitat. We will use the present stream to create a small pond area. As the pond fills with sediment over the years, as a natural progression bringing still greater habitat diversity, we will create a second pond below it.

3 – Organic land management – The farm will be biodynamically certified, which involves farming to organic standards plus the additional use of further soil fertility building methods. Organic farms are proven to be far richer in biodiversity than conventional farms. There are many reports on this. One can be viewed at http://www.soilassociation.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=Xe2yOpM84w0%3D&tabid =385 ‘The Biodiversity Benefits of Organic Farming’ The Soil Association, May 2000.

The following organic methods of land management will be employed to the benefit of biodiversity;

• Mixed farming - Mixed farming provides a greater variety of food sources and also food sources at different times of the year, as well as a variety of nesting habitats. For example, different invertebrates and seed sources are found on arable and grassland areas. • Crop rotations with grass leys - Rotations are required practice for all organic arable production and form an integral part of the system. Although the grass often contains a high level of clover, it is in general of lower intensity than grassland on conventional farms (which is often intensively fertilised) and therefore provides more suitable nesting and foraging habitats. • Spring sowing - Spring sown crops supply important nesting habitats for ground nesting birds and the stubble over winter provides important food sources (weeds and grain) for seed eating birds. • No use of herbicides or synthetic pesticides - It means there are higher levels of invertebrates and wild plants that form the base of food chains and support natural predators. • Maintenance of trees, hedges and fields margins - These are an important part of organic farming and are protected under organic standards. Pest control is achieved through the maintenance of the habitats of natural predators, such as spider, birds and beetles. • Green manuring - This is the ploughing in of unharvested crops for fertility building/retention and is valuable for supporting invertebrate populations. It is common practice in organic systems but occurs negligibly on conventional farms. • Undersowing - This is the sowing of a grass or clover ley under a cereal crop so that it exists at low levels while the crop is there and then after harvest, growth takes off. Undersowing increases the level of biodiversity in the cropped area and after harvest supports seed bearing wild plant species throughout the first autumn and winter period of the ley. This technique is used for a high proportion of organic leys, perhaps half. It was once widely used in conventional agriculture but is now used rarely. • Intercropping - This is the growing of two or more different types of crop within the same row or in alternative rows at the same time on a field. It is done for pest and disease or fertility reasons. It is

carried out on some organic farms, but uncommonly. It is never carried out on conventional farms.

Summary of the biodiversity found on studied lowland organic farms From ‘The Biodiversity Benefits of Organic Farming’ The Soil Association, May 2000. See link above. Abundance Diversity

Plants Five times as much biomass On arable fields, 57 per of wild plants in arable cent more wild plant fields, including more rare species, two times as many and declining arable plants. rare or declining wild plant species and several rare species found only on organic farms. Invertebrates 1.6 times as many of the One to two times as many arthropods that comprise spider species in cereal bird food; about three fields. times as many non pest butterflies and one to five times as many spiders in the crop area. Birds 25 per cent more birds at the field edge, 44 per cent more infield in autumn/winter, 2.2 times as many breeding skylarks and on average more breeding yellowhammers

4 – Biodynamic land management – This includes all of the methods mentioned above within organic farming. In addition natural remedies are used to increase soil biodiversity & fertility. As the soil is the basis for all growth & consequently all organisms that feed on this growth, the diversity of soil organisms indicates a healthy basis for all other biodiversity to thrive.

For more info see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodynamic_agriculture ‘A 21-year study by the FiBL Institute in Switzerland compared the agronomic and ecological performance of biodynamic, organic and two conventional systems. In regard to soil aggregate stability, soil pH, humus formation, soil calcium, microbial biomass, and faunal biomass (earthworms and arthropods), the biodynamic system was superior even to the organic system, which in turn had superior results over the conventional systems’.

5 – Planting native woodland – We are working with a GLASTIR woodland officer to plan a planting regime approximately 3 acres of native trees

26 suited to the prevailing weather conditions. An appropriate planting pattern will ensure that the trees have sufficient protection to develop. Species which we will plant are growing successfully within the locality.

These areas of planting are detailed in the site layout map in section 1. They have been verified by Celia Thomas, Woodland Officer with PCNPA. They will have the following environmental benefits;

• Maintaining local landscape heritage and conservation value. • Supporting a wider range of plants and animals than introduced species (eg Oak, Willow and Birch all support over 200 native insect species, compared to 19 present on Larch). For example this will safeguard & expand habitat suited to the Tree Sparrow which is a protected species in the local biodiversity action plan, (BAP). • Creation of wildlife corridors between scrub woodland on this property & woodland on neighbouring properties. Corridors will be created within the site. • Native species are more likely to thrive than most introduced species, particularly in more challenging conditions. • Carbon sequestration for global environmental benefit.

• Reduced soil erosion, by slowing rainfall infiltration & run off.

6 – Re-instatement of old field boundaries. As discussed in section 4.8. (Please refer to site maps in section 1.). We have used this 1907 map to guide us on the re-instatement of old field boundaries. Whilst few of the old boundaries are at all visible now, we plan to return the main fields to 4 smaller enclosures. These will not follow the exact lines of the old borders, but are designed on the following basis; • 4 similar sized manageable fields for mixed use with minimal machinery input. • Increase biodiversity through creation of new field boundaries, woodland, rough scrub & varied land use. • Increased wind protection for people & livestock. • Boundaries used to blend the development into the landscape. • Historical importance of smaller field areas, which the area is known for.

7 – Saving traditional seed varieties & adapting seed to a changing climate. We will be working with “Real Seeds” based in Newport Pembrokeshire, saving seed for them. They save & sell native & rare

27 seeds. These crops will be better adapted to the local environment & ecology.

8 - Through our educational work, we will be increasing the field of knowledge within the local community across all generations, within a range of environmental issues. These will pay off directly through our reduced environmental impact & through the altered actions of those receiving education.

9 – Bees. There are presently a number of threats to bee’s in the UK & wider world, which are causing considerable reduction in bee populations. We will install at least 2 bee hives in the woodland area. Through coppicing the sycamore & correct management of the present scrub woodland, we will be enhancing & protecting present bee friendly plants. We will also plant bee friendly crops within the garden area & orchard.

10 – A barn owl box will be installed on the barn.

5.0 Design, Construction and Landscape Impact Information

5.1 How energy is supplied

5.1.1 Space heating Spaces in the house & education room will be heated by efficient woodburners. The volunteer sleeping space will have occasional use of electric heaters powered by the solar panels. This space is seasonal therefore not in use for the colder months. The buildings are designed to have exceptionally high insulative qualities.

There are 0.3 acres of mature sycamore woodland on the site, which could be coppiced for a small proportion of fuel wood. It has been recommended that we coppice the sycamore in the phase 1 ecological report. (See appendix 2).

Fuel wood sources Year Source 1 – 4 Import local waste wood & waste wood from construction 4 - 6 Sycamore coppice from existing woodland & construction waste wood 6 - 8 Sycamore coppice plus initial coppice from 1 acre of new plant short rotation coppice (SRC) composed largely of willow, but also to include red oak, red alder & ash 8 - 18 Coppice from new plant SRC only 18 onward Coppice from 3.5 acres of new plant native woodland

Approximately 3 acres of mixed deciduous woodland will be planted around the site (see tree planting plan in section 1). Once established this will give us sufficient firewood to supply the house & education room with heating wood. We will also have wood for building, craft work & possibly sell excess firewood in the locality.

The short rotation coppice (SRC) has been extended to cover approximately 0.5 of a hectare (around 1 acre). This will be made up of a mix of species as outlined in the table above.

Research shows predicted willow harvests at first harvest of 25 - 30 odt/ ha (oven dried tonnes per hectare). Subsequent harvests 32 - 35 odt/ha

Years 1 to 3 will be set-up years establishing the stools. years 5 - 7 are first harvest and years 8 on are subsequent harvest.

Given the insulative qualities of the house & the presumed slower development of the coppice due to initial exposure, we assume that this will provide more than enough heating fuel. Any excess will be used for craft materials, sold as firewood or retained for the biodiversity benefits.

5.1.2 Electricity

Electricity will be supplied via solar panels. A renewable energy consultant visited the site & has advised us on the following option. We will install 3 KW of ground mounted solar panels.

This will cost us approximately £5,000 to buy & install. We aim to run a fridge, freezer, stereo, laptop with DVD player, fruit dryer, approximately 20 low energy lights, a hoover, blender/juicer, household grain mill & a washing machine. We will be connected to the mains so that during times of excessive energy production we can sell power to the grid.

The solar engineer is assured that we have an ideal site for solar PV. For details on positioning see site maps & drawings. For details on inputs & outputs of energy please see appendix 10

5.1.2 Heating Water Water will be heated by evacuated tube solar water heaters or some very similar mechanism. These will be approximately £2500 to buy & install. (http://info.cat.org.uk/solar-water-heating ) They will heat the water to a certain temperature. The woodburner will then provide further heat to bring water to a higher temperature if required. They will heat water for approximately half of the year. When there is too little sun available, then water will be heated by a back boiler attached to the woodburner.

The solar water system will be south facing & set up on the roof of both the house.

The Centre For Alternative Technology advise as follows; ‘A typical solar water heating system in the UK will produce between 40% and 60% of the hot water a household uses over the course of a year for showers, hot taps etc. This is sometimes referred to as a solar fraction of 40%-60%.’ ‘As a rule of thumb, under typical UK conditions you will need about 1m 2 of solar water heating panel area per person to produce around half the hot water we use in the household.’

5.2 How water is supplied We have followed the advice of a water consultant. There are a number of options for water supplies. At this stage of the planning process, it is not possible to expend a great deal of time & money on drilling & sampling, so we lay out the options below.

We will have a number of water sources for different uses, which are as follow;

The Water Table Use Source options

Cooking, food preparation, *Mains water fed to area of need by bathroom sink & drinking mains pressure. Bore hole / well pumped directly to area of need. Washing machine, bath, shower, Rainwater harvest from all new polytunnel, livestock & field buildings, into a tank & gravity feed to crops area of need. Livestock in lower field Access to the stream

Water use Litres per year Value £ Source Cooking & Mains/ well / borehole drinking 10450 27.17 Washing 49500 128.7 Mains/ well / borehole Rain harvest from polytunnel, Polytunnel 60000 156 house & barn roof Rain harvest from polytunnel, Field crops 10000 26 house & barn roof Rain harvest from polytunnel, Livestock 29565 76.869 house & barn roof Total 159515 415

*A note on mains water Ideally we would not be on a mains supply as we would prefer autonomy & untreated water. However, we would like to retain the possibility of connecting to the mains initially if creating a natural source from a well or borehole is excessively expensive & complicated due to water purity. We are presently researching the possibilities of a well, or borehole & what filtering would be required.

We are advised by the water consultant that it would be as sustainable to connect to the mains as to create a new water infrastructure, such as a bore hole or well, considering the mains pipe passes our entranceway. (Please refer to The Water Book, Judith Thornton, chapter 2

Environmental sustainability of water supply & see appendix 12 water letter ).

This would cost approximately £1000 for Welsh Water to make the connection. 5.3 Sewerage & waste disposal requirements.

Toilets - We will have two dry composting toilets. One will be attached to the home. The second will be near to the garden, education room & barn. All solid waste will be composted for use on non food crops. All liquid waste from the toilets will be combined with straw, cardboard or woodchip, composted & used on non food crops. We presently use a natsol at home (see http://www.natsol.co.uk/ ). We will use this or design something more appropriate for the site.

All kitchen waste will be dealt with using a wormery. Resultant compost juice & solids will be used on the house garden. Grey water – Water from the bath, sinks, shower & washing machine will pass through a reed bed system situated to the north of the house & barn & in the southern end of a woodland strip. A reed bed & water consultant has advised us in positioning & will provide further consultation in the development phase. (See http://info.cat.org.uk/questions/water-and- sewage/what-are-reed-beds )

Drainage arrangements. Any waste water passing out of the waste water treatment system is safe to return to ground water or stream. We will re-direct water from the treatment system via ponds back to the stream from which it originates.

All buildings will be fitted with rainwater harvesting technology & that water used for household, agriculture or horticulture.

Any water run off from hard standing, car parks or tracks will be diverted using ditches to soak away & water woodland areas.

5.4 Proposed access, cycle & car parking arrangements. Access to the site is from the minor road running along the south side. The entrance gate will be set 7 metres back from the road in order for a vehicle to be able to pull in & safely open the gate. A small car park is sited here immediately alongside the road. It will be large enough to hold approximately 2 minibuses & 4 cars. The car park would be used largely

32 for educational visits & for access to the farm shop. The hard standing material for the car park & any tracks will be excavated from the site. Areas of excavation will include building foundations & water storage tanks.

5.5 Buildings Please find attached plans in section 1. Buildings will be constructed where possible by the family. Local & national builders, advisors, trainers & craftsmen will be employed where necessary. Some aspects of the buildings construction will be run as courses for volunteers & trainees. Construction periods: House 18 months - Barn 8 months Education room 12 months - Volunteer sleeping 1 month Farm shop 1 month - Polytunnel 2 weeks

5.5.1 House (Internal ground floor area = 160m2 approx.) • Purpose. The house is designed to accommodate a family of 4. It includes 3 bedrooms, an office area, a kitchen / dining / living space, bathroom & compost toilet. It is designed to make maximum use of sun light & warmth, whilst having minimal visual intrusion in the landscape. • Materials. The house is a timber frame construction with straw bale in fill for the floor & walls. The roof will be insulated with warm cell recycled paper. Materials are dependant on approval by building regulations. We are also still researching alternatives to straw, which may prove more durable in this location. These include recycled wood chip blocks, hempcrete & rammed earth. These alternatives can still be used in conjunction with the proposed timber frame construction. Element Material Reason Role Source Foundations Recycled masonry Recycled Structural Local / UK Limecrete Environmental Structural Calc Ty Mawr, Wales Floor Oak Natural Structural Local / Wales Trussed joints Performance Structural Donaldson Timber Engineering UK Shuttering ply Performance Skin Jewsons made in UK Straw Natural Insulation Local Floorboards Recycled Finish Reclaimed Tiles Recycled Finish Reclaimed Cob Natural Finish From land Walls Larch Frame Natural Structural Local / Wales Straw bale Natural Insulation Local / UK Lime render Natural Skin Calc Ty Mawr, Wales Earth plaster Natural Skin From land Larch cladding Natural Protection Local / Wales Windows Performance Lighting Local / Wales

Roof Larch / oak Natural Structural Local / Wales Plasterboard Fire retardant Skin Jewsons made in UK Vapour barrier Performance Membrane Jewsons made in UK Warmcel Recycled Insulation Local / UK Shuttering ply Performance Structural Jewsons made in UK Butyl membrane Performance Membrane LBS made in UK Turf / sedum From site Environmental Site • Construction The foundations will be limecrete / concrete & recycled masonry pad footings / supporting foot walls. The floor will be earthen or timber frame of Welsh oak. Internal floors will be finished with cob or floorboards. The main frame walls will be larch or Douglas fir. Externally to the main frame a non supporting sub frame will be constructed of larch planks & straw bale. These will be finished with earth/lime plaster internally. External finishes will be a combination of lime plaster, earth & larch cladding dependant upon weathering. The roof will be constructed of welsh oak or larch. This will be overlain with a permeable membrane, butyl membrane & turf or sedum. It will be insulated with ‘warmcel’ recycled paper. The internal roof will be lined with ‘fermacell’. We will investigate the properties of local & UK straw sources, to find the most suitable materials. We are also aware that building regulations may alter materials we use.

• Reversibility This can be done with relative ease, restoring the site to its previous state. Remove internal fittings, remove & compost turf roof & straw walls. Remove roof & wall liners from site. Remove timber frame structure, dig up pad footings / foot wall, landscape.

• Passive Solar Design The house is designed to gain maximum light & warmth energy from the sun. The south wall has most windows bringing light into the kitchen & living spaces. Earth floors & walls within the south side of the building will store & redistribute heat from the sun. The roof overhangs to protect the straw bale walls, but also to reduce over heating in the summer. Blinds can be used on the glass areas to reduce solar heat when necessary.

• Active Solar Design The southern side of the roof will house solar water heating panels, feeding directly to a hot water tank.

• Ventilation & infiltration A percentage of the windows will be opening windows, to ventilate the house. The indoor compost toilet will have a chamber air vent to the exterior.

• Natural lighting The living & working spaces are designed to have maximum sunlight to avoid the needs for artificial lighting during daylight hours.

• Space heating The house will be heated by an efficient wood burning stove. This will run a back boiler to heat bedrooms at the end of the house. We envisage that there will only be a need for heating in colder weather as the house will be so well insulated.

• Thermal performance The straw bale insulation within the floors & walls combined with the warmcel in the roof will make the house extremely well insulated. Straw bales around 450 mm thick will have a U-value of 0.13 W/m²·K. Warmcel provides U-value beyond current building regulations.

• Visual impact Its visual impact is reduced from the village of Trefin, the footpath to the north west, the southerly road & south west neighbours by; • Blending build with the present field boundaries • The natural fall of the land • Clustering of buildings • Building up & replanting the bank to the south of the building • Removing the topsoil to begin build by approximately 500mm • Tree planting & hedging around the development • Tree planting in north west corner to eliminate views from the public footpath • A green roof • Lime plaster & wooden clad exterior walls

• Reason for positioning The house is located at this position for the following reasons; 1. Reduced visual impact from the road as it is low in the field. 2. Reduced visual impact from houses immediately to the south & south west by landscaping & tree planting. 3. Track way to be incorporated into double hedge bank.

4. Central position for ease of site management. 5. The rainwater harvest from the buildings can be used to supply livestock & polytunnel by gravity. 6. Grey water from the house will gravity feed into a reed bed system to the north. 7. We will have the security of a sight line view to the main growing area.

5.5.2 Barn & livestock space (Internal ground floor area = 100m2 approx.) • Purpose This area is divided between the workshop space, working barn & the livestock barn. These have the following functions:

Artistic workshop space for family & volunteers. This will be a space for art & craft activities, such as weaving & pottery. This will be insulated with straw bale in fill or a similar alternative. It will have a raised timber / earthen floor.

Tools storage & manual workshop. Human & animal food store. Tractor parking & maintenance area. Livestock housing . Straw, hay & general storage . These will all be basic unheated, non insulated spaces, with compacted earth or stone floors. The tractor parking doubles as a packing space when required.

• Materials

Element Material Reason Role Source Foundations Recycled masonry Recycled Structural Local / UK Limecrete Environmental Structural Calc Ty Mawr, Wales Floor Oak Natural Structural Local / Wales Trussed joints Performance Structural Donaldson Timber Engineering UK Shuttering ply Performance Skin Jewsons made in UK Straw Natural Insulation Local Floorboards Recycled Finish Reclaimed Compacted stone Recycled Finish Reclaimed Compacted earth Natural Finish From land Walls Larch Frame Natural Structural Local / Wales Straw bale Natural Insulation Local / UK Lime render Natural Skin Calc Ty Mawr, Wales Earth plaster Natural Skin From land Larch cladding Natural Protection Local / Wales Windows Performance Lighting Local / Wales Roof Larch / oak Natural Structural Local / Wales Plasterboard Fire retardant Skin Jewsons made in UK Vapour barrier Performance Membrane Jewsons made in UK

Warmcel Recycled Insulation Local / UK Shuttering ply Performance Structural Jewsons made in UK Butyl membrane Performance Membrane LBS made in UK Turf / sedum From site Environmental Site • Construction The foundations will be limecrete / concrete & recycled masonry pad footings. The floor frame in the workshop will be earthen / Welsh oak. The majority of the barn floors will not be insulated or raised on frames. They will be compacted stone & earth. The main frame walls will be larch in the round. Only the workshop space will be insulated with straw bale or something similar. These will be finished with earth plaster internally. External finishes will be a combination of lime plaster, earth & larch cladding dependant upon weathering. The roof will be constructed of welsh oak or larch. The final roofing will be turf/sedum with a butyl membrane.

• Reversibility See house above. This is the same process.

• Visual impact The visual impact of the barn will be reduced by; • Blending build with the present field boundaries • The natural fall of the land • Clustering of buildings • Building up & replanting the bank to the south of the building • Removing the topsoil to begin build by approximately 500mm • Tree planting & hedging around the development • Tree planting in north west corner to eliminate views from the public footpath • A green roof • Lime plaster & wooden clad exterior walls

• Reason for positioning The barn is centrally located within the main site plan for the following reasons; 1. Reduced visual impact from the road as it is low in the field. 2. Reduced visual impact from houses immediately to the south & south west by landscaping & tree planting. 3. Track way to be incorporated into double hedge bank. 4. The rainwater harvest from the buildings can be used to supply livestock & polytunnel by gravity.

5. Ease of land management. This will be the main tool store, animal & human food store, repair space & livestock wintering / milking space. 6. We will have the security of a sight line view from the house to the barn.

5.5.3 Education room (Internal floor area = 45m2 approx.) • Purpose This is an educational space for group use. It will be a single round open plan room. • Materials Element Material Reason Role Source Foundations Recycled masonry Recycled Structural Local / UK Limecrete Environmental Structural Calc Ty Mawr, Wales Floor Oak Natural Structural Local / Wales Trussed joints Performance Structural Donaldson Timber Engineering UK Shuttering ply Performance Skin Jewsons made in UK Straw Natural Insulation Local Floorboards Recycled Finish Reclaimed Cob Natural Finish From land Walls Larch Frame Natural Structural Local / Wales Straw bale Natural Insulation Local / UK Lime render Natural Skin Calc Ty Mawr, Wales Earth plaster Natural Skin From land Windows Performance Lighting Local / Wales Roof Larch / oak Natural Structural Local / Wales Vapour barrier Performance Membrane Jewsons made in UK Warmcel Recycled Insulation Local / UK Shuttering ply Performance Structural Jewsons made in UK Turf Natural Natural From land Butyl membrane Performance Membrane LBS (UK)

• Construction The foundations will be limecrete / concrete & recycled masonry pad footings. The floor will be a raised timber platform. The internal floors will be finished with cob or floorboards. The main frame walls will be larch in the round. These will be finished with earth plaster internally. External finishes will be a combination of lime plaster, earth & larch cladding dependant upon weathering. The reciprocal roof will be constructed of larch in the round. The final roofing will be either turf with a butyl membrane or thatch dependant upon availability of materials.

• Reversibility This can be done with relative ease, restoring the site to its previous state.

Remove timber structure, dig up pad footings, landscape.

• Visual impact The visual impact will be reduced by; • A low green roof • Tree planting to the east, south & west • Lime render low exterior walls with a large green roof overhang

• Reason for positioning The education room is centrally located within the main site plan for the following reasons; 1. It is close to the dwelling & barn for ease of access when preparing for & working with groups. 2. This then forms a cluster with the house & barn, minimising building spread across the site.

5.5.4 Polytunnel (Internal floor area = 80m2 approx.) • Purpose This is an integral element of the business & home produce. It will serve as a seed house to germinate our vegetable & fruit produce. It will also be a key growing area for home produce, high value seed, vegetable & fruit crops.

• Materials & construction This is a conventional steel frame structure with a clear polythene cover. Foundations are small concrete / limecrete footings.

• Reversibility Remove plastic & steel frame structure. Remove footings. Landscape.

• Visual impact The visual impact will be reduced by; • Its low position in a hollow alongside existing woodland • Tree planting to the north & south

• Reason for positioning The polytunnel is primarily sited in this position to reduce its visual impact as it will be in a natural hollow of the land, behind established hedgerows. The position also has a number of other functions.

1. This allows gravity feed of water to the tunnel harvested on the house & barn. 2. Easy access to the barn & house for regular checks & tool availability. 3. Reasonable distance to the main growing area for transport of seedlings for planting out. 4. Protection from prevailing winds.

5.6 Parking & track Materials will be sourced from site using borrow pits. We estimate that the majority, if not all the stone we need will come from levelling the house & barn area. Also from creating pits for the rainwater storage tanks. If we require further materials this would be excavated from the tree planting area to the northern boundary. Soil can be removed, stone excavated, soil replaced & trees planted. Plantings & landscaping will seek to blend the parking area.

The fields are accessed from a quiet minor road a short distance from the A487. The present gate is set back approximately 4 metres from the road. We plan to increase this to 7 metres to allow a vehicle to pull off the road & stop whist opening the gate.

The parking area will be large enough for approximately 5 bicycles, 2 minibuses & 4 cars. One car space will be suited for disability parking.

The track will be positioned between a double hedge bank, which has the function of reducing wind speed to the vegetable field, creating habitat for biodiversity & reducing visual impact of the development. The new hedge bank creation here is also running close to that of the early 1900’s layout.

5.5.6 Volunteer sleeping space ( for 2 volunteers ) • Purpose This is a small insulated space that would be used for 2 seasonal volunteers to sleep in. Its seasonal use & good insulation means that occasional electric heating from solar pv will be sufficient.

• Materials & construction This is a timber frame, straw bale in fill, with some cob incorporated. It will have a turf/sedum roof. This would sit on minimal pad footings.

• Reversibility Remove roof & frame structure. Remove footings. Landscape.

• Visual impact The visual impact will be reduced by; • Low turf roof • Banking, trees & hedge on all sides • Enclosed within main building cluster

• Reason for positioning - Close to house & barn

5.7 Environmental impact of planting, building & landscaping. Please also refer to; • Appendix 3 ‘Landscape & visual assessment’ • Site plan map in section 1 • Section 4.11 • Appendix 2 ‘Extended phase 1 ecological survey’

All building materials will be sourced as locally as possible, including earth from the land itself. Transport of materials is minimised in this way. Building materials are all natural and create a reversible build. (See buildings construction materials section).

Planting of native broadleaf woodland & wildlife corridors will greatly enhance the variety of habitats. A range of land uses around the site, including woodland garden, cereals, vegetables, perennial fruit & nut crops, ponds, wild areas, livestock & pasture will create an intricate diversity of natural habitats.

Car parking areas will be planted around & drained in order to minimise environmental impact from water run off & public viewing.

People’s enjoyment of the landscape will be enhanced through this development. The tree planting is concentrated low down alongside existing trees, so that the views from the neighbours houses & roadside are not interrupted. Those visiting the site or passing by will benefit from the ecological diversity & mixed land use patterns in keeping with

41 the local environment. The naturally shaped buildings, whilst blending into the environment, will bring shape & interest to the observer.

5.8 Division of land use Activity Acreage needed Vegetable & seed production on no dig system 2 Field scale cereal & seed crops 1.5 Livestock grazing 3 Livestock fodder 1 Native woodland planting 3.5 Short rotation coppice 0.5 Buildings, parking & other infrastructure 0.5 Orchard & soft fruit 1.5 Agroforestry crops 0.5 Wildlife reserve in addition to native woodland plant 1

6.0 Sustainable Livelihood Please see the site plan map in section 1 in order to understand this section.

6.1 Permaculture zoning of the site Please see site map to understand layout.

Zone 0 – The home Zone 1 – Frequent visits Home garden with salads & herb crops. Home compost for household waste to be used in home garden. Compost toilet. Waste to be composted for 2 years & used in woodland / willow growing. The wood store for the house is placed in the barn directly opposite. Zone 2 – Approx 2 times a day visits The barn to the east of the house has the following functions. • Workshop for art & crafts. • Packing space. • Livestock shelter during winter. The education room is situated close to the house, compost toilet & barn. The polytunnel would ideally be closer to the house, but is in the least visible location & is a reasonable distance. Certain functions may be on a twice daily basis at certain times of year, so are close to the home, eg. Education room, polytunnel, livestock shelter & volunteer sleeping space.

Main crop vegetables are based in the south eastern field close to the house. Duck & chicken areas are based near the home yard north of the barn, where their food is stored. Each day they free range, ducks to veg field & chickens to meadow. Zone 3 – Weekly / monthly visits Pasture, hay & cereal fields. Woodland garden to the west of the fruit field. This will be most frequently visited for harvesting crops for home consumption & some for weekly markets. Orchard, soft fruit & bees to the north west. Zone 4 – Seasonal visits - Coppice woodland areas throughout the site. Zone 5 – Annual / never The south west area of woodland surrounding the woodland garden area will be left primarily for wildlife.

6.2 Annual household needs assessment

6.2.1 Heating fuel – We presently live in a home heated by a wood burner. We estimate that we will use 3 tonnes of seasoned firewood per year to heat our home. At £90 / ton this is a total of £270 per annum

6.2.2 Cooking fuel – We aim to cook initially using LPG & in the longer term to be using seasoned wood. For this we will use purpose built efficient wood burning cooker. It will be installed in the house during year 4 or 5 of the development. At this stage we will no longer need to rely on LPG. In Addition we have included an electric cooker to be run from the solar panels. This will also be installed at approximately the same stage of the project. We estimate that we will require 2 tonnes of seasoned firewood per year at a total of £180 per annum .

6.2.3 Water provision Water use Litres per year Value £ Cooking & drinking 10450 27.17 Washing 49500 128.7 Polytunnel 60000 156 Field crops 10000 26 Livestock 29565 76.869 Total 159515 415

Basic charges 0.26p / litre plus £30 standing charge (Dwr Cymru) giving an annual total of £445 per annum.

6.2.4 Food needs (present consumption) % of household current household Annual spend Food type food spend £ rice, cereals, flour, pulses etc 12 657 Meat 7 400 Fish 7 416 Eggs 1 78 Milk (dairy alternatives) 5 266 Dairy products 11 624 Oils & sauces 3 194 Seeds & dry fruit 2 90 Veg & fruit 46 2600 Honey 4 210 Teas, spices, herbs 1 60 Other condiments 1 80 Totals 100 5675 Food total of £5675 per annum.

6.2.5 Basic clothing needs We have calculated a current annual clothing spend of £200 Per person. A total of £800 per annum.

6.2.6 Household electricity needs We estimate that we will use approximately 2200kWh per annum At 15p per KWh for renewably resourced electricity, our annual needs are a the equivalent of £330 per annum .

6.2.7 Annual dwelling maintenance We estimate that we will spend 40 hrs/year on maintenance £500. With materials of £300. Total of £800 per annum .

6.2.8 Travel breakdown (projected basic needs) Car fuel £400 (waste vegetable oil & small percentage of diesel). Service £400 Insurance & tax £400 Other travel £600

Total travel £1800 per annum .

6.2.9 Other overheads Council tax £700 Telephone £200 Insurance £800 Toiletries & cleaning £270

Other totals £1970 per annum .

6.2.10 Annual Household Needs Totals Item £ travel costs (public & private) 1800 Toiletries & cleaning 270 Heating fuel 270 Cooking fuel 180 Water 445 Food 5675 Clothing 800 Electricity 330 Dwelling maintenance materials 300 Dwelling maintenance labour 500 Other overheads 1700 Total annual household costs 12270

6.3 Detailed evaluation of goods produced from the land annually for home consumption.

A detailed evaluation of energy, water & fuel production have been completed within the ‘Design, construction & landscape information section’. Fruit & vegetables will form a large part of land based produce for home consumption & sale. For fruit & vegetable production working methods, work programmes, labour requirements, set up costs & outputs, see the business plan.

Below is a detailed evaluation of home produce not included elsewhere in this plan. This is then followed by an overall assessment of financial values for home produce, energy, water & fuel produced for home consumption.

6.3.1 Goods for home consumption

Cereals We aim to grow organic cereal crops such as oats, barley, buckwheat, rye, spelt & quinoa on a small scale. These would be grown in rotation with livestock & vegetable production. Fertility building crops will be grown before cereals as we have small livestock numbers. (See rotation plans, appendix 8).

This would be to feed ourselves, livestock, local people (with excess) & to provide straw bales for building materials. We would grow these crops using local contractors & where possible, dependant upon scale we would harvest & process by hand. We are not experienced in grain growing, apart from successfully producing quinoa on a garden sale for home consumption. How the cereals would be processed is variable. Some grains can be used directly with little or no processing & fed to livestock. Others would require processing by hand or a contractor. In the early years we intend to make contact with local grain growers & advisors to learn more & to carry out small scale trials on various cereal crops ourselves. At present we are unable to give monetary values to the outputs .

Cereal production work programme Job Who & how Costs Outputs Ground prep Family – £50 / acre hand/machine fertility build

Sowing Family/contrator - £20 / acre hand/machine Crop management Family - 0 hand/machine Harvest Family/contrator - £31.40 / acre *1 see below hand/machine Processing Family/contrator - *2 see below hand/machine *1 (http://www.permacultureforum.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=193) Quantity of wheat needed to feed one family of 4 = 1 or 2 bushels. Hand raised cereal crop outputs – area needed to grow one bushel; Wheat 1000 sq ft Barley 900 sq ft

Buckwheat 1300 sq ft Oats 600 sq ft Corn 500 sq ft Rye 1500 sq ft

*2 (http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/25/117976/Contractor-charges-Our-guide-for-2010.htm) Contractor average costs for 2010 from Farmers Weekly website Cereal drilling £20/acre Baling (small) 44p per bale Combining cereals £31.40 /acre

Bees We will be keeping initially 2 hives for home honey consumption. (We eat a lot of honey). We have built these hives ourselves using a design re- developed by a man in north Wales from an old French hive. (See http://mygarden.uphero.com/ModifiedAbbeWarreHive.htm ). He suggests that this low impact / maintenance form of bee keeping reduces the stress to bees & thereby reduces the incidence of diseases. We are aware of the current decline in bee populations & would like to plant & develop the site to be bee friendly. If this system of hive works for us, we would like to build more as a further enterprise. We aim to use bee lure to attract hives for the first 2 hives, avoiding buying in any bees.

We will need very few items for managing the bees. A smoker & suit can be acquired cheaply second hand. We will need some basic equipment for extracting the honey, although initially we would join a local bee keepers club to hire their equipment make contacts & learn more.

Work programme – Tom will care for the bees. Hives will be observed regularly throughout the spring summer & autumn, without opening them, just to follow bee activity. Any swarms will be trapped for further hives. The honey will need harvesting & processing in autumn.

Bees start date – year 1

Goat We will keep one milking goat for our own milk, yogurt & cheese. We need to do more research in this area as to breeds & management. We will likely go for a breed such as the British Toggenburg, which is a long lactation milker, gives a good quantity of milk, is a good grazer & a reasonable winter milker. She would be brought into kid by visiting a local

47 billy. Kids would be sold on after weaning. The goat & kid would be fed largely on meadow grazing, hay, brassicas & some cereals.

Work programme – All the family will be involved in goat care. They will be milked on a daily basis & put out to pasture for most of the year. In the wetter months, they will be housed & cleaned out on a daily basis.

Goat start date – year 3

Chickens We will keep a small flock of about 10 chickens. These will provide eggs for home & market. We will keep a number of breeds to include rare breed Rhode Island Red & Black Rock, which is a popular organic free range hen. They will graze free range in the meadow areas to improve fertility. They will be housed in an open bottomed mobile unit, so that overnight manure will fertilize the ground & reduce cleaning time. The mobile unit can be moved regularly by two people.

Work programme – All the family will be involved in chicken care. They will be shut up at night & let out in morning. Eggs will be collected daily & chickens observed for health & welfare. Food scraps & grains will be fed under cover on a daily basis.

Chickens start date – year 3

Ducks We will keep about 8 Kaki Campbell ducks & one drake to graze on slugs & to provide us with eggs. They will be housed in the vegetable area in a mobile hut & will free range for certain hours of the day. Excess eggs will be sold via the same routes as fruit & vegetables.

Work programme – All the family will be involved in duck care. They will be shut up at night & let out in morning. Eggs will be collected daily & ducks observed for health & welfare. Food scraps & grains will be fed under cover on a daily basis. Ducks will be observed whilst grazing in the vegetable area & shut up once all the slugs are hovered up. This avoids crop damage.

Ducks start date – year 3

Sheep A small flock of 6 sheep will be kept for household meat & use of the fleece for weaving. These will be of mixed breeds, to include the rare breed Balwen for its fleece. They will occupy 1 acre on a rotational basis. A further half acre will provide them with winter hay & root crops.

Work programme – All the family will be involved in sheep care. They grazing in the meadow & checked daily for health & welfare. They will be housed during the wetter months & cleaned out on a regular basis. They will be fed hay & some cereals when indoors. In spring they will be sheared & their fleeces processed. Two sheep a year will be killed & processed on site by the family or hired help. Sheep will be impregnated by AI.

Sheep start date – year 3

Horse / cow In the long term we would like to have a horse or cow (or a pair of working dexters) for pulling a cart & carrying out some cultivation. Oxen are still widely used in southern Europe & the third world. Oxen / cows are possibly lower maintenance & their manure provides a more valuable fertility make up due to the processing of food through 4 stomachs & long florally diverse intestines. A horse would possibly be more versatile & faster for transport. We will carry out more research in this area. A small cow or working horse could be fed largely on hay & grass. We would dedicate 4 acres for their year round extensive grazing & food production. They would move within the overall rotation.

Work programme – All the family will be involved in their care. They will graze the meadows for the majority of the year. In winter they will be housed & cleaned out on a regular basis. When housed they will be fed hay, garden fodder & some cereals.

Horse / cow start date – year 6

Livestock costs vets imported livestock housing bills/yr equipment feed/yr Ducks 45 150 0 30 0 Chickens 60 150 0 30 0 Goat 50 150 100 50 100 cow/horse 150 450 100 50 0 Sheep 400 250 100 30 100 Bees 0 0 0 50 0 Totals 705 1150 300 240 200

Set up costs 2095 Annual costs 500

Note – Fencing costs will be largely covered by GLASTIR woodland planting grant. We have accounted for ongoing feed costs as a worse case scenario. We aim to grow all our own feeds in the longer term.

Livestock outputs Outputs Ducks 6 eggs per day (majority sold) Chickens 6 eggs per day (majority sold) Goat 1500 litres per annum milk (majority for cheese & yogurt) cow/horse work & pleasure Sheep 2 carcass per year plus wool for weaving Bees 25 kilo per year

6.3.2 Financial values of land goods & services for home consumption

% of household current We will Home household Annual spend grow / Home produce Food type food spend £ produce produce % value £ rice, cereals, flour, pulses etc 12 657 yes 20 131.4 meat 7 400 yes 70 280 fish 7 416 10 41.6 eggs 1 78 yes 100 78 milk (dairy alternatives) 5 266 0 dairy products 11 624 yes 60 374.4 oils & sauces 3 194 15 29.1 seeds & dry fruit 2 90 yes 50 45 veg & fruit 46 2600 yes 80 2080 honey 4 210 yes 100 210 teas, spices, herbs 1 60 yes 50 30 other condiments 1 80 yes 30 24 100 5675 3323.5

6.3.3 Annual availability of home produce Colour key Processed for store Fresh Fresh & processed

Home produce Jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec woodland garden wild foods honey meat milk & yogurt cheese eggs oats raspberry strawberry apple plum pear chestnut hazelnut chard beetroot parsnip carrot potato fennel celery globe artichoke french beans broad beans runner beans haricot beans squash sweetcorn cabbage kale peas cucumber tomato aubergine pepper onion garlic turnip salad courgette

6.3.4 Other goods & services values

Water will be harvested from buildings, the stream & bore hole / well to a value of £259 per annum .

Electricity will be generated through renewables & have a value of £330 per annum.

Fuel will be produced on site, (initially by coppicing present woodland in year 4 for burning in year 5, then by short rotation coppice & eventually by coppicing newly planted woodland) to a value of £350 per annum. (See section 5.1.1. for an explanation of fuel wood supplies).

We will move toward cooking with site grown biomass by year 5 or 6.

Household maintenance labour by ourselves to a value of £500 per annum.

Clothing will be weaved such as scarves, hats etc to a value of £50 per annum.

6.3.5 Total value of home produce, services & land based income to year 5 Expense Income Income Income Income Income Income Item yr3 % yr3 £ yr4 % yr4 £ yr5 % yr5 £ travel costs (public & private) 1800 0 0 0 Business produce income 4670 6090 8063 Toiletries & cleaning 270 0 0 0 Heating fuel 270 0 0 100 270 Cooking fuel 180 0 0 50 90 Water 445 259 259 259 Food (£3323.5 possible home grown) 5675 50 1662 75 2492.6 100 3324 Clothing 800 50 50 50 Electricity 330 100 330 100 330 100 330 Dwelling maintenance materials 300 0 0 0 Dwelling maintenance labour 500 100 500 100 500 100 500 Other overheads 1000 0 0 0 Totals 11570 7471 9721.6 12886

6.3.6 Calculation Calculation Needs Produce Percentage year 3 12270 7470.75 61 year 4 12270 9721.625 79 year 5 12270 12885.5 105

7.0 Business plan There will be a number of income streams to the site. They will complement one another from a perspective of marketing & environmental site management. This diversity of produce spreads the risk of relying upon one single output & provides our family with a diverse range of produce throughout the seasons. The various crops produced will also act as key educational resources. Whereas most farms now specialise in a few crops or animals, we will have a great variety. Particularly profitable areas of the business will be expanded as they are discovered.

All income & expenditure is based upon beginning sales & production in year 2. This is to allow us time to set up basic infrastructure & begin building. In some cases, we will begin production in year 1 where possible.

The range of income streams are as follows;

7.1 Organic vegetable & seed production

This will be a relatively small scale enterprise, but is designed to generate significant income, particularly over the summer months. We will be working in partnership with a local community supported agriculture scheme (CSA), so that we may complement one another’s work. (See letter of support from COCA Appendix 9). We are also establishing an organic / biodynamic growers co-operative in partnership with a local organic producer. We plan to work together to expand local markets both through sales to businesses & householders. With raising food prices, increased transport costs & a desire for local healthy produce, we will be building on a growing market. In time we will build in a training element, so that we can train up local young people to supply local food markets & look at food processing opportunities to raise the value of local produce. We are also in discussion with a network of groups, individuals & businesses who wish to make St David’s a ‘sustainable food city’. This would involve supplying produce to the schools, local people & businesses. It is supported by a number of organisations who presently seek a good example in Pembrokeshire. It would have the added bonus of building on St David’s as a green tourism destination.

Initially we will be preparing one acre for organic vegetable, fruit & seed production. In the following years, this will be built up to grow on up to 3 acres within a rotational system. (See appendix 8. This spreadsheet has a number of pages. These include examples of high value crops for sale, with their values, the rotations we will use & details of successional sowing).

Crops for sale will be grown in the same rotations as those for home consumption. Crops for seed will also be grown in the same areas. Cross pollination will be avoided through annual selection of appropriate small number of seed crops. If necessary we can reduce varieties grown for home consumption in line with the seed crops. We can also use screens & ventilated covers to closely control cross pollination.

We will be growing a range of crops to sell via an off site farm shop on a neighbouring farm, local businesses & at local markets. We are also investigating the possibility of establishing a small Community Supported Agriculture system, (CSA) for approximately 20 households. This would work in partnership with a thriving local CSA who are keen to see similar ventures develop.

Having met with a number of local businesses myself & local business partners also making market research, we feel that there is a great potential for combined supply of organic locally grown high value produce to local businesses via a growers co-operative. Having made the calculation, even selling at conventional levels, given our scale & proximity to direct outlets, we are in a good position to generate significant income for approximately 4 to 5 months of the year. This also coincides with the most productive growing seasons. (Please see spreadsheet appendix 8).

In this same area we will also be growing seed crops for a number of seed companies. In years one & two we will supply seed to Real Seeds, Pembrokeshire. After gaining an organic / biodynamic certification, we will also start to sell seed to Demeter & other organic companies. The income from seed & vegetables is purposefully estimated at a very low level. We foresee that the potential from seed production could be far higher if we choose to develop this aspect of the project. (See letters of support from seed companies Appendix 9). We are also considering a number of alternative crops that may be marketed on a wider basis within Wales to complement any local sales. We have studied & worked on a

56 number of small scale enterprises & feel confident that we can generate a sustainable livelihood from this land. A detailed study carried out in 2011 outlines a number of successful small businesses, some of which have been developed on marginal land within Wales. This study illustrates the possibilities for generating significant income from under 10 acres. In each case, a family or individual have worked closely to understand the land, climate & markets to adopt a sustainable management technique. For further information you can download this study at http://www.ecologicalland.coop/projects-small-successful

Site suitability The soil tests show that soils throughout the field areas are well suited to cultivating a range of crops. They all have sufficient depth of top soil, good fertility, reasonable pH levels, good drainage, good texture & structure. Historically this has been a cereal growing area suggesting fertile well draining ground. Climatically we are close to the coast, so we will have an extended growing season in comparison to the interior of the country. The only limiting factor I foresee is the potential of northerly winds during the development of early season crops. This can be counteracted by use of fleece mulch.

It has been suggested that crops will not develop well in this locality, leading to poor harvests & failure of tree’s which are essential to the site’s low impact nature & to reduce wind damage to fruit & vegetable crops. Whilst we accept that the area receives high winds, there are many aspects which complement the kind of enterprises we are proposing.

I have made investigations into local crop & tree growth viability with the following results.

As set out in the letter of support from Real Seeds, who grow a large range of seed crops locally & on poor soil, close to the sea & high on the side of a mountain, generating approximately £190,000 per annum on a few acres. Pembrokeshire is renowned for it’s lack of frosts, mild climate supplying adequate rainfall & good soils. Many traditional horticultural regions in the south of England are recently suffering severe water shortages due to changes in weather patterns potentially linked to global warming. This only raises the pressure to produce regional crops which suit our changing patterns of weather & supply routes.

Local organic growers have established a business in the past (which is no longer operating) to supply organic strawberries & raspberries. Many people I have spoken to talk fondly of the pick your own & how successful a business it was particularly in terms of a fun few hours out picking. The business was growing fruit on a far larger scale than we would. They did have problems with some wind damage & weed problems due to waterlogged soils & possibly high acidity. We are countering these issues by planting into well draining soils, aiming for a majority of raspberries which will be cut down over winter to avoid wind damage, planting in a site which is not exposed to westerly winds & keeping production to a small manageable scale. In addition many local gardeners have told me what excellent strawberries & raspberries they grow, so I see no reason why these successes cannot be replicated on a field scale.

Pembrokeshire is renowned for its early crops of potatoes, cabbage & cauliflower. Locally at Caerhys Organic Farm (approximately 3 miles away), a range of vegetables are grown successfully to supply 40 households all year round. In an extremely exposed field literally on the cliffs (see letter of support from COCA, appendix 9), the following crops flourish on soil & geology very similar to our own; potato, cabbage, salads, peas, beans, turnips, kale, pumpkins, sweetcorn, carrots, parsnips, onions, leeks etc

Another semi retired local organic grower, has established a range of crops on extremely exposed land (sea on 3 sides) within 10 miles of us. They have found the following crops & tree’s to grow very successfully.

Austrian Pine. Scottish Pine, Ash, Oak, Hawthorn, Blackthorn (the last 2 even grow on the coast path) Poplar, Wild Roses, Alder, Elder, Willow, Dogwood, Eucalyptus, Holly, Guelder Rose, and a very weedy one Sycamore grows anywhere.

Herbs, there are many. Some love the coastal winds but again here are the ones that do best: Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Lavender, Mint, Chives.

Whilst there are very few people growing top fruit due to the exposed nature of the area, potentially making it a difficult crop to grow commercially. There is every reason to suggest that top fruit can be grown successfully for home consumption & small scale marketing or processing. A specialist in Welsh fruit crops based in Bangor, N Wales has spent many years saving & breeding traditional varieties which are

58 being lost due to the commercialisation & homogenisation of our food industry. Ian Sturrock has one particular tree from Bardsey/Enlli Island off the Llyn Peninsula which is famed for its productivity whilst growing in one of the most exposed coastal regions of Wales. There are similar examples of an apple tree growing & producing large quantities of fruit virtually on one of the beaches within 3 miles of our land. Other local gardeners have assured me that they have successful top fruit crops. In each case it is a matter of minimising exposure to wind & choosing the correct varieties. In our case, the broad leaf planting, combined with the existing woodland to the west will provide a natural fruit orchard area to the north west of our property.

Concerning the development of tree’s for blending buildings & creating sheltered growing areas. There are many examples of successful broadleaf growth locally; On site there is approximately one acre of well established blackthorn, sycamore & some ash. When viewing the landscape surrounding our property there are a large number of woodlands, ranging from low scrub to well established mature tree’s of many varieties including sycamore, ash, birch, blackthorn, beech etc. To the south west approximately one mile is Tre-Yarched wood. This area is far more exposed than we are to the prevailing south westerlies & it has a range of native mature trees very well established. Our woodland advisor who has co-ordinated the grant scheme through GLASTIR & the Forestry Commission, is a local resident & has absolutely no doubt that the species we have selected for replanting will grow. If they were unsuitable for the environment, then we would not have been awarded the grant.

It is the case throughout the landscape that tree’s are well established far closer to the coast & in more exposed sites than we plan to plant. (Please see letter of support from Felin Uchaf in appendix 9. We helped to plant approximately 7 acres of broadleaf here in an exposed coastal location on the Llyn Peninsula. The trees are establishing well). It is possible that the open landscape is due to the removal of tree’s & them concurrently not being re-planted. In any case locally where trees have been replanted, there is generally a good success rate. Tree’s will develop more slowly than in sheltered sites, but they show the ability locally to adapt & succeed. This success rate would depend upon choosing appropriate varieties & planting them in such a pattern as to ensure the

59 more robust trees grow on the outer edges to protect those more vulnerable. In our case, we will use the existing woodland as buffer from prevailing winds & plant as advised by our woodland advisor. It is essential for crop protection, biodiversity, CO2 trapping & fuel sources that this area plants more trees.

Soil preparation – We aim to minimise ploughing so as not to invert the present balance of soil life & natural fertility. This will involve mulching & no dig raised beds where possible. Certain crops will require ploughing previous to sowing. (See http://www.charlesdowding.co.uk/ ). Composts & seaweed will be added as & where needed to build fertility. Initially compost will consist of imported animal manure’s which are then composted on site. All of the land will be treated with fertility building biodynamic preparations. (For further info see http://www.biodynamic.org.uk/)

Varieties – We will grow a wide variety of vegetables, for both environmental/soil health & marketing. We have a close relationship with ‘Real Seeds’, a family run seed company based in Newport, Pembrokeshire who save traditional varieties of vegetables. These seeds are adapted to local growing conditions. We will use their seed in our fields, supplemented by other organic/biodynamic UK seed suppliers. We also plan to save seed for Real Seeds as one of our business enterprises. (See below).

Marketing through local outlets – We will sell produce via the local CSA, possibly through our own small CSA, via a local farm shop on a nearby farm & directly to local businesses. During the summer months we will concentrate on popular high value crops such as strawberries, raspberries, salad packs & tomatoes, which will fetch a premium from local businesses & tourists. We have carried out market research which has shown the following opportunities. • The local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project, which supplies a range of local products to people in the area have expressed an interest in us supplying them with certain produce. (Please see letters of support Appendix 9). • A new CSA could be established if there is enough demand (20 households) in the area. This would be in conjunction with the present CSA, so as not to create competition. The CSA model is thriving at Caerhys & many more are emerging throughout Wales.

In France where the same model (known there as AMAP) have now developed so that there are over 3000. The emphasis is to create a relationship between the farm, the grower & produce, so that there is a direct link & understanding to our food origins. CSA’s may supply anything from 5 to 500 households. There is no reason why we cannot create a small CSA nearby an already existing one. • We have talked with local businesses & a number of local people who have all expressed an interest in regularly buying produce from us. We are working with another local organic grower & people interested in staring production. Between us we have identified good markets for local produce. • We also have the option of joining Pembrokeshire Produce Direct, which is a co-operative for local producers to sell direct throughout Pembrokeshire. (http://www.pembrokeshireproducedirect.org.uk/ ) • Seed will be marketed both locally & nationally as mentioned in the above paragraph. (Please see letters of support Appendix 9 ). • We will also sell at market. Presently there are openings for organic produce at Haverfordwest & in conjunction with COCA at St Davids market. The creation of small local markets to revive village activity in conjunction with other producers is also a good option. We are currently looking for potential partners to operate such a scheme. • It is now widely accepted & proven through market research (please see http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/consumer-behaviour-intrinsic- values?CMP= ) that consumers are happy to pay more for environmentally & socially responsible products. As a group of local organic growers we are in a very strong position to market our produce at competitive values to the tourist market, local businesses & local people. This is a particularly attractive option to working in partnership with local tourism businesses to offer a greener stay which benefits the sustainable development for local people, by supporting environmentally sound & innovative local businesses. The ‘Sustainable Tourism Initiative’ is a partnership project between Pembrokeshire Coast, Brecon Beacons & Snowdonia National Park. The initiative recognises the large potential income to the area over a short period of the year & seeks to support local communities & businesses to intercept the benefits from tourism, whilst safeguarding the local environment & communities. Pembrokeshire Coast NP has an estimated annual value of £262 million per annum. ( http://www.breconbeacons.org/the-

authority/working-in-partnership/tourism-industry/pdfs-for-tourism- partnership/wsti-strategy-v3.pdf )

Timetable of work, production & sales dec - mar tree / bush planting - fruit / nut / deciduos dec - mar fencing jan – mar Coppicing for firewood & crafts jan – mar reporting to funders Jan – sept Sowing & potting in glasshouse june – feb Stocking farm shop june – oct Supplying local businesses veg & flowers june - sept Market stall weekly in St Davids mar – june Ground preparation mar – june Early crop protection mar - nov Educational visits (start yr2 with 10 visits) mar – sept Direct sowing in soil veg & flowers may – oct Weeding may – oct Sowing green manures may - sept Incorporate compost may - sept Transplanting Sept Preparing compost sept – dec meetings with schools, colleges, adult & youth groups all year Harvesting (veg field, fruit & agroforestry) all year fruit & tree pruning all year Machinery maintenance all year Book keeping all year Marketing (contact with customers)

set up costs £ / yr 1

machinery & tools 500 polytunnel 2000 irrigation system 500 contractors 150

total 3150

Annual running costs £ / yr1 £ / yr2 £ / yr3 £ / yr4 £ / yr5

machinery & tools (repairs) 300 350 450 450 fleece, trays, seed compost 250 200 200 200 200 manure 100 100 0 0 0 fuel (mostly free waste veg oil) 100 100 100 100 100 volunteer costs 250 750 750 750 750 market stall (3 months) 180 180 180 180 180 transport to market (mostly free waste veg oil) 100 100 100 100 100 total 980 1730 1680 1780 1780

Annual income £ / yr1 £ / yr2 £ / yr3 £ / yr4 £ / yr5 local people 768 800 800 1280 1280

tourist market 288 480 500 1000 1500 businesses 1000 2000 2500 3000 3000 seed production 500 1000 1500 1500 2500 total 2556 4280 5300 6780 8280

Note - sowing rates account for 25% losses

£ / yr1 £ / yr2 £ / yr3 £ / yr4 £ / yr5 Annual profit ( & pay off period) 1576 2550 3620 5000 6500

7.2 Fruit and Nut Crops Our fruit & nut crops will initially all be grown on a relatively small scale. As we discover which varieties are popular & profitable, we will expand these areas of production. There are virtually no running costs once the crops are established. Nutrition produced on site.

All of the following fruit & nut crops have relatively similar soil preparation & marketing. These are as follow;

Soil preparation – The entire site will be sub soiled. Following this, a composted mixture of lime, manure, rock dust & seaweed will be incorporated or added as a surface mulch & harrowed in. Trees will be planted in mulch matting. Following this mulch matting will either be left or removed for use elsewhere at which point, home produced mulch will be used, such as old hay, straw & used animal bedding.

Marketing through local outlets – We will sell produce through all the same avenues as for vegetable sales. Distribution costs are included in vegetable production & sales. In addition, due to the high quantity of certain crops, we will sell also through Pembrokeshire Direct & other larger Pembrokeshire outlets.

7.2.1 Strawberries These will be established along the south facing protected edges of newly planted broad leaf woodland inside the nut, fruit trees & raspberry canes.

We have well draining fertile soils suitable for their growth. We will take runners & replant as plants lose vigour.

Varieties – We will grow a number of varieties to spread the harvest across the season. We will select these from welsh fruit stocks.

We will plant 312 plants. We should get 500g per plant. That’s a total of 125 kilos per annum. (Following advice from an organic strawberry grower in Aberystwyth). Our plants will be grown from seed, which we have assumed at a cost of £30. We will then continue to propagate plants from runners at no extra cost. Tesco sell organic strawberries @ £4 for 300g. (Approximately £11.5 per kilo). We have assumed a more realistic price of £7 per kilo. We will assume 20% losses & home consumption. Therefore we sell 100 k / yr. Total of £700

set up costs £ / yr 1 subsoil contractor 10 lime 10 rockdust 25 seaweed 25 strawberry seed etc 30 mulch matting 100 posts 10 total 210

Annual profit ( & pay off period) minus 20% £ / yr1 £ / yr2 £ / yr3 £ / yr4 £ / yr5 Taking 10% loss & 20% home consumption -210 490 700 700 700

By year 3 we will be making approximately £700 per annum

7.2.2 Apples These will be established along the south facing protected edges of newly planted broad leaf woodland inside the nut trees. We will plant 20 apple trees. We will plant a mixture of varieties on a range of rootstocks. We will take advice from Ian Sturrock, traditional welsh apple expert (http://www.iansturrockandsons.co.uk/ ) & from other pembrokeshire apple growers. We have previously planted an orchard on the Llyn Peninsula with the advice & stock of Ian.

Dwarf & semi dwarf trees can be expected to produce 25–30k / annum by year 5. Standards can be expected to produce 80k / annum by year 8.

Therefore if we are to plant 8 small varieties & 12 standard, we can expect 220k / annum by year 5 & 1180k/ annum by year 8.

Organic apples sell for approximately £2 / kilo. We will assume 15% loss through damage.

set up costs £ / yr 1 subsoil contractor 20 lime 20 Rockdust 25 seaweed 25 Apple 200 mulch matting 80 Posts 20 total 390 Annual profit ( & pay off period) minus 20% £ / yr1 £ / yr2 £ / yr3 £ / yr4 £ / yr5 Taking 10% bird loss & 10% home consumption 0 700 700 700 700 Annual profit ( & pay off period) minus 20% -210 490 700 700 700 By year 3 we will be making approximately £700 per annum

7.2.3 Raspberries These will be established along the south facing protected edges of newly planted broad leaf woodland inside the nut & fruit trees. We have well draining fertile soils suitable for their growth.

We will plant 100 metres (200 canes) of summer fruiting varieties. We will establish these along a post & wire support system. Due to their high nutritional needs, we will mulch them with green manures such as comfrey & animal manures from our farm. 200 organic canes supplied within Wales will cost us £200 (http://www.welshfruitstocks.co.uk/).

Some fruit will be available in year 1 but the majority from year 2. We have assumed 1 k/ metre summer varieties, as this will be our main selling season. Harvest predictions vary widely (Up to 7.5 K/M). We have taken lowest assumed harvest. Organic raspberries sell for £7 / kilo.

set up costs £ / yr 1 subsoil contractor 10 lime 10 rockdust 25 seaweed 25 canes 200 mulch matting 40 posts 10 total 320

£ / yr1 £ / yr2 £ / yr3 £ / yr4 £ / yr5 0 700 700 700 700 Annual profit ( & pay off period) 0 135 525 525 525

7.3 Additional income

Educational element

We aim to offer the entire process of site development as an educational opportunity for local schools, youth & adult groups. Experiences offered will include food cultivation, woodland management, buildings construction, waste management, water supply, fuel production, renewable technologies & animal management. The focus throughout will be on sustainable development.

Initially we will work with one or two youth groups until the site is up & running, at which stage we will offer opportunities more widely. This will remain a small part of our work. We do not expect the educational element to become a major focus of the site, but to offer learning opportunities on scale acceptable to our family & the local community.

We have had initial discussions with Pembrokeshire Youth Offending team, who are keen to be involved. (Please see letter of support in appendix 9). However, due to local apprehensions we have chosen to focus work on other groups. We would like to retain the letter of support as an

66 indication that groups are interested & we hope that the YOT find similar work to engage with elsewhere in the near future.

Tom has considerable experience in working educationally in the outdoors with adults, youth & school pupils. This experience includes, whole school & community consultation, advising teachers on use of the outdoors, design & eco-building with groups, green woodworking, teaching biodynamic & organic growing. Pascale has trained in teaching Philosophy to children.

Schools work has been focussed around Education for Sustainable Development & Global Citizenship (ESDGC). ESDGC is a cross cutting theme of the Welsh Key stage 1 & 2 education system. This means that teachers are expected to integrate elements of sustainable development & global citizenship into all areas of the curriculum. ESDGC is also aimed at higher education & is integrated into the work of many social educational community groups.

We aim to aid this integration through providing local schools, colleges, youth & adult groups with a real living example of sustainable development, which they can come along to & get involved with as hands on learning experience.

We will seek funding for this work & look at private payment from groups / individuals where appropriate. Having had considerable experience with funding applications, we do not foresee it being a problem to source funds. We would initially seek funds toward some basic infrastructure (compost toilet & hand washing facilities) & revenue funds toward running educational sessions. In the longer term we expect that adult & youth groups would source their own funding to work with us. Possibilities for educational experience will not end with the completion of the site & we expect to continue to develop this aspect of our work.

Educational income & expenditure Set up costs - yr 1 £ Compost toilet & hand wash area 5000 Travel to meetings 100 Tools & educational props 800 Running costs - annually Office, heat, light, phone, internet, paper etc 500 Travel to meetings 100 Public liability insurance 500 Training to keep up to date with educational developments 300 Revenue funds for educational sessions – yr2* 2400 Revenue funds for educational sessions – yr3* 3000 Revenue funds for educational sessions – yr4* 4500

*Assuming for each group visit half a day preparation time of materials, work space & educational content. 1 day delivery to the group & clear up time. Half a day reporting on the day, sending on relevant follow up materials, further development time for ongoing work with this group. Therefore each visit = 2 days work at £150 /day for trainer = £300 / visit

Yr2 8 visits = £2400 Yr3 10 visits = £3000 Yr4 15 visits = £4500

In the longer term we have a range of possible other enterprises we would like to establish, which would complement those already discussed. All of the enterprises previously discussed and those listed below have the potential to expand and create local employment in the longer term, once buildings are complete and energy can be focussed on the business.

Alternative crops – We are in discussion with groups & potential markets for alternative organic crops, which could be grown on a field scale once proven at garden level to grow well in the local environment. These would be high value crops that could be grown on a small scale, processed on the farm & sold within Wales & the locality.

Agroforestry tree nursery – Once our own agroforestry area is established in the present rough woodland, we could begin to produce

68 edible trees, shrubs, roots & perennial greens for sale into what is presently a massively growing market where demand outstrips supply.

Furniture making – Tom has experience in green woodworking & foresees that as a winter workshop, producing simple furniture & other wood products could be an added income stream which would be sold via local markets & the farm shop. This could complement the social enterprise.

Weaving – Pascale is a trained weaver & has herself taught weaving. Wool weaving & basketry could be a productive winter workshop, with products to supply local markets & farm shop. This could complement the social enterprise.

7.4 Total business set up costs £ vegetable 3150 strawberry 210 raspberry 320 apple 390 4070

Business set up costs will come from private savings. Land based income below has taken set up costs into consideration within each annual profit calculation.

7.5 Overall land based business income Annual profit ( & pay off period) £ / yr1 £ / yr2 £ / yr3 £ / yr4 £ / yr5 vegetable & seed growing 1576 2550 3620 5040 6800 strawberries 0 325 525 525 700 raspberries 0 135 525 525 525 apples 38 educational work 2400 3000 4500 4500 4500 totals 3976 6010 9170 10590 12563

totals without educational work 1576 3010 4670 6090 8063

7.6 Production, sales & activity timetable dec - mar tree / bush planting - fruit / nut / deciduous dec - mar fencing jan - mar coppicing for firewood & crafts jan - mar reporting to funders Jan - sept Sowing & potting in glasshouse june - feb Stocking farm shop june - oct Supplying local businesses veg & flowers june - sept Market stall weekly in St Davids mar - june Ground preparation mar - june Early crop protection mar - nov educational visits (start yr2 with 10 visits) mar - sept Direct sowing in soil veg & flowers may - oct Weeding may - oct Sowing green manures may - sept Incorporate compost may - sept Transplanting Sept Preparing compost sept - dec meetings with schools, colleges, adult & youth groups all year Harvesting (veg field, fruit & agroforestry) all year fruit & tree pruning all year Machinery maintenance all year Book keeping all year Marketing (contact with customers)

70 7.7 Overall staffing The business & daily work shall be carried out by Tom & Pascale. At present, there is a lot of childcare, which will be shared, although the majority will fall to Pascale. In the early years, land based production is kept to a manageable level, so that we can concentrate on creating a home & also developing good links for the educational work. We aim to have a volunteer / trainee who will live on site from March to October each season. They will gain experience in all aspects of land management, educational work & building work. They will provide us with an extra full time worker over the busier months of the year. Their expenses have been included in the vegetable growing business, as a lot of their work will be focussed in this area.

Although we have not specified that we will employ anyone, (as this would create extra pressure in terms of fulfilling our objectives under the low impact policies) we do foresee that our business will grow within 8 years to be able to employ at least one extra person.

For some aspects of the buildings work, we will employ builders. They will be specialist eco builders, providing experience which we do not have. We will work alongside them in order to learn their trades for further buildings. (They are costed in set up costs).

Note on volunteers / trainees Volunteering as a way to learn new skills is widely recognised as being of great mutual benefit to the volunteer & host. We have spent a number of years volunteering full time on projects which provided us with a real education. We would like to offer this opportunity to others.

We hope to attract volunteers / trainees interested in biodynamic land management. We will also work with a network of potential volunteers, through magazines, websites & specialist organisations such as WWOOF (worldwide opportunities on organic farms).

The volunteers are not included in our ecological footprint calculation. The reason for this is explained in appendix 14. (Note that the appendix refers to our present address rather than the proposed development address).

7.8 How is the business financed?

71 The business is financed from savings which we already have. The business set up costs are fairly low due to the fact that we have previously run similar businesses, so we have many of the tools, for example Tractor & implements.

8.0 Policy 52 / 47 Low Impact Development – Making A Positive Contribution.

8.1 The proposal does meet the tests set out in PCNPA planning policy 52 / 47.

There are eight specific criteria that need addressing to comply with Policy 52 / 47. These are detailed throughout the document, but the following bullet points map these clearly.

Our first submission of the planning application was refused (amongst other points) on the grounds that it did not meet criteria’s a, b, d & f.

In January 2012 PCNPA contracted a private specialist (Best Foot Forward – BFF) to; • Give a broad overview of the planning application & it’s content • A detailed analysis & conclusion as to whether the analysis presented complies with : 1. PCNPA LDP policy 47 2. WAG policy TAN 6 One Planet Development

BFF made the following conclusions; The documentation for the planning proposal appears to meet all of the Policy 47 & TAN 6 requirements, with two possible exceptions. • The mechanism/s of how the zero carbon requirements of TAN 6 were to be met did not appear to be documented; and • The nourishment data assumptions for both Ecological Footprint scenarios were found to be unlikely. Reductions in the nourishment ecological footprint are the hardest to address at the low levels set by TAN 6 requirements. The associated issues are complex & with little published evidence available. 4th world ecological design are currently researching these issues as part of the team putting together guidance for applicants & WAG officers interpreting the TAN 6 applications.

To view the full BFF report, please see appendix 15.

The report clearly states that we meet all aspects required under Policy 47 / 52.

In regard to the two possible exceptions which relate to TAN 6; 1. We enquired as to how to make a zero carbon analysis for the application & at the time there were no guidelines as to how to do this. We stated this in our original application under appendix 7. It was obviously not picked up by BFF. As far as we are aware, there are still no clear guidelines, so we are unable to act on this. 2. The issue with nourishment data comes down to lack of research evidence. As I understand it BFF use conventional yield data to assess what it is possible to grow for home consumption. 4 th World Ecological Design assume higher yields due to the intensity of small scale home growing. This can be illustrated by the relatively high productivity of a well managed allotment in comparison to a large scale conventional field crop system. The field crop system requires many intensive material inputs & as such has a relatively & actual low yield. The small scale intensive system close to the home requires minimal materials inputs, but very high labour inputs. These high labour inputs, incorporated into the daily living pattern are an integral part of low impact living. This system is rewarded with very high productivity. For example, maximum use of vertical & horizontal growing space, use of household compost waste for fertilizer, use of rainwater for irrigation & most importantly the constant shadow of the gardener who tinkers to keep everything flourishing. Whilst there is much writing about this kind of system, for example by Jules Pretty, there appears to be very little scientific data gathered around this subject.

We are confident that we can produce to the levels set out in this application. We are also confident that our estimates are within the desired criteria of both local & national low impact policies.

We would like to suggest that our projects & other similar projects are monitored by the occupants & universities to gather the relative data in order to conclude these theories.

In this area, I would like to raise the point that our original application was also turned down on a lack of evidence that we would be able to make a success of this project. This conclusion is not based on any experience by PCNPA, so how can they make these assumptions? We would propose that in order to make these assumptions in future, & based on real eveidence, developments like this one need to be allowed & positively supported by the

73 national park to test how successful they can be. If there are area’s in which this project for example proves less successful in the coming years, it would be imperative for WAG & PCNPA to work with us to correct these issues, so that future projects may be more successful. If the Government of Local Authorities are serious about tackling the issues of over consumption, lack of local housing, loss of local businesses, poor health & well being, then they should be serious about supporting this project.

Another point for refusing the application was that two similar projects already exist within Pembrokeshire (LAMMAS & Green Apple Cross), whom already provide education in sustainable development. This is an absolutely shocking statement. To consider that two small projects on opposite ends of Pembrokeshire are expected to be sufficient to educate people in practical sustainable development. Given the aims of the assembly government with its one planet development & the aims of the national park to create sustainable communities, until there are serious aspects of sustainable development incorporated into the lives of every member of the public & every business in Pembrokeshire then there is a massive need for individuals & groups who are willing to provide education in sustainable development & global citizenship. For further evidence of this need please refer to letters of support in appendix 9.

8.1.1 The proposal will make a positive environmental, social and/or economic contribution with public benefit.

Environmental For full details of environmental benefits, please refer to section 4.11. These include; • Repair of hedges with local provenance tree stock • Coppice sycamore scrub • No work in the vicinity of the Japanese Knot Weed • Scrub woodland reserved as an area for wildlife • Pond creation • Organic / biodynamic land management • Planting native woodland • Re-instate field boundaries • Seed saving vegetables to adapt to changing climate • Environmental education • Introduction of bee hives & bee plants • Inclusion of a barn owl box on the barn

Social • Providing skills & training, which will lead to increased employment, increased self confidence & self worth. We will provide visitors with the practical tools to empower them to take positive steps forward. These will be provided to adults, youth & school pupils. • Volunteers, trainees & educational visitors will benefit from healthy activity & a beautiful environment increasing personal health & wellbeing. • Provide healthy, low food miles, untreated organic produce to the local, business & visiting community. • In the long term we expect to be able to employ one local part time person in various aspects of the horticultural business. • Run Welsh language working days for learners & fluent speakers, to bring the local language & culture to life in the landscape. • Open days will be held on a regular basis throughout the summer months in order for the general public to learn about low impact living, sustainable horticulture & land management. In addition, they will benefit from learning about the natural heritage of the national park & its regeneration on this particular site. • We have included a permissive public footpath, which will allow local people & visitors access to the site. This will be of educational & enjoyment benefit as it passes, organic filed crops, short rotation willow coppice, the orchard, new plant broad leaf woodland, the woodland garden, the fruit garden, the pond & nature area. • Note – there appears to have been a strong reaction against this development by some local residents. I have discussed the origins of this situation in appendix 14.

Economic • Selling produce to the local public, businesses & holiday makers • Working in partnership with local CSA • Selling seed to Welsh & UK seed companies • Buying produce from other local outlets • Employing local crafts people & builders • Offering training opportunities to young people wanting horticultural & building skills. These skills will be valuable in re building the local economy & making it possible for young people to create homes & businesses in the area. • Creating horticultural training in partnership with other local organic growers to bring in funds & skills to a new generation.

75 • Working in partnership with other local organic growers to create a vibrant new market for our produce. This will be to both businesses, local residents & possibly creating products for sale within the wider are of Wales.

8.1.2 All activities and structures on site have low impact in terms of the environment and use of resources. Details of the low impact nature of this development are detailed throughout this management plan. In particular you should refer to sections 4.11, 5 & 6. Also, see the illustrative perspective photo’s / drawings.

8.1.3 Opportunities to reuse buildings which are available in the proposal’s area of operation have been investigated and shown to be impracticable or are incorporated. There are no buildings on site. Any buildings off site & in the immediate area are in no way affordable to us.

8.1.4 The development is well integrated into the landscape and does not have adverse visual effects. We consider the buildings to be well integrated into the landscape & to have positive visual effects. For further details please refer to; • Appendix 3 Landscape & Visual Assessment • Appendix 11 Design & Sustainability Statement • Site layout plans & building drawings in section 1 • Illustrative perspective photo’s / drawings in section 1

8.1.5 The proposal requires a countryside location and is tied directly to the land on which it is located, and involves agriculture, forestry or horticulture. The proposal involves agriculture, woodland management & horticulture. The proposal requires a countryside location in as much as it requires land. We have searched for land closer to towns in Wales, but it is either unavailable or unaffordable. In this situation we have the advantage of a number of small towns being fairly nearby, many small villages, a healthy seasonal tourist population for produce sales, a local school & good transport routes, by road, rail & sea.

8.1.6 The proposal will provide sufficient livelihood for and substantially meet the needs of residents on the site. We will produce sufficiently to supply ourselves, local & national markets. We will meet our needs in line with Policy 47 by year 4 & TAN 6 OPD by year 5. Please refer to section 6 for full details.

Whilst policy 47 requires 75% of basic needs to be met by year 3, it also states that the 75% may also be reached within a reasonable time frame. Given our discussions with other people involved in low impact living, we have opted to stretch this 75% to year 4. We believe that this is far more realistic. If necessary we could push to make the 75% in year three, but for all aspects of the project to develop & flourish, we believe that waiting until year 4 is more viable.

8.1.7 The number of adult residents should be directly related to the functional requirements of the enterprise. The enterprise is designed to operate around one family. There is opportunity for volunteering & training as detailed in the management plan. These volunteers & trainees will stay for short periods as detailed. During the construction period, we will require expertise such as builders to be employed on site.

8.1.8 In the event of the development involving members of more than one family, the proposal will be managed and controlled by a trust, co-operative or other similar mechanism in which the occupiers have an interest. The development only involves one family.

8.2 Work programmes & number of workers needed

Construction phase

77 Role Who Foundations 1 Builder, 1 digger driver, Tom Timber framing 1 Carpenter, 5 volunteers, Tom & Pascale Plumbing Tom & Pascale Wind turbine & solar power Renewables engineer Wiring 1 electrician Straw bale 1 Trainer, 10 volunteers, Tom & Pascale Lime & clay plaster 10 volunteers, Tom & Pascale Cladding Tom & Pascale Roofing 1 builder, Tom & Pascale

Business set up & ongoing management Role Who Tree planting Tom & Pascale, 10 volunteers Banking & landscaping 1 digger driver, Tom Garden & field prep Tom & Pascale, 1 trainee, 5 volunteers Orchard & woodland garden Tom & Pascale, 1 trainee, 5 volunteers Produce harvest Tom & Pascale, 1 trainee, 5 volunteers Produce sales Tom & Pascale, 1 trainee Woodland coppice Tom Educational work Tom & Pascale, 1 trainee

8.3 Outline of how objectives will be monitored to achieve targets. Nature conservation & biodiversity enhancement 1. At least 2 acres of new broadleaf woodland planted 2. Creation of wildlife corridors 3. Baseline ecological survey advice – habitat protection 4. Further biodiversity measures discussed in point 4.11 Landscape management 1. New plantings & buildings developed to complement landscape 2. Diversity of habitats – woodland, rough grass, vegetable, fruit, grazing. 3. Buildings landscaped & planted around for minimal visual impact Water conservation & drainage 1. All building roofs will be used for rainwater harvest where appropriate 2. Any water leaving the site will be as pure as when it entered

Energy conservation & generation 1. Electricity used on the site will be generated through renewable technologies based on the site. Excess will be sold to the grid

78 2. Buildings design will make maximum use of natural light & passive solar heating 3. All bulbs will be low energy Waste minimisation & recycling 1. We aim to deal with the majority of our waste through composting on site 2. Waste water to be purified through reed bed system 3. Human waste to be composted for use on coppice trees 4. Any other waste will be recycled through collection by local recycling services Produce sales & Educational visits See our business plan which sets out our aspirations in produce sales & educational visits . Activities providing wider public benefit 1. Educational activities for youth, schools & adults 2. Volunteering days for locals (health & wellbeing) 3. Provision of local organic produce 4. Reduced environmental impact eg. Reduced CO2 emissions 5. Increased biodiversity in landscape Minimising vehicles 1. Reduced commuting by our family 2. Choice of transport modes by our family & site visitors to include walking, bus, bike, train, vegetable powered vehicle. (See transport assessment and travel plan Appendix 4). 3. Delivery services every 2 months of basic household goods from a wholefood company 4. Efficient produce distribution will be achieved by on site sales at a farm shop & a weekly market which is a combined shopping trip 5. Construction materials & any ongoing resources needed will be sourced as locally as possible. Buildings design have taken into account locally available materials 6. Our family will run only one vehicle, which will be powered by waste vegetable oil 7. Site visitors, where possible will be supplied with travel information in advance of their visit

8.4 How does the scale of development relate to the needs of the proposal. We were seeking an area of between 10 & 20 acres with a view to creating new broad leaf woodland, producing the majority of our own food & produce for sale. We also require space for a home, animal shelter, workshop space, packing,

79 tool/vehicle maintenance space & storage. Further to this we have chosen to construct an education room.

Land use is set out clearly within this document, illustrating how we will use the entire land area for horticultural & agricultural produce, educational work, wildlife habitat, parking, waste management & leisure.

We could alter the business model & woodland planting etc to live on a smaller land area, but we are working with the land available to us at this time.

Please also refer to the table illustrating the division of land use in section 5.7.

8.5 Vehicle movements & numbers during construction phase. How will it be minimised? We aim to carry out as much of the work as possible ourselves. We will initially be renting a property within walking / cycling distance of the site. We will then stay on site in temporary accommodation until the house build is complete. This will be a wood clad caravan, with storage facilities in a timber frame structure.

Employed builders will be sourced as locally as possible. We will aim for builders to stay on site during key phases of construction in their own temporary accommodation.

(See Transport Assessment and Travel Plan Appendix 4).

8.6 Functional need

The system of living which we are proposing requires that we develop a close relationship to the land on which we live & work. We will be taking full responsibility for this land, our family & any links to the wider community & natural environment. Our lifestyle, landscape design & development will be mutually beneficial for ourselves, others & the natural environment.

We will raise the fertility of the soil, increase biodiversity, fix carbon in the soil & trees, decrease carbon emissions through local production & increase environmental educational opportunities. All of this requires that we live closely with the land in order ourselves to learn how best to work with it, through experience & observation.

On a daily basis, certain things need to be within close proximity for proper functioning;

80 • Livestock care & feeding • Seedling care • Fresh crop harvesting • Site security

The following tasks are shared appropriately between the whole family.

A typical day in;

SPRING Tom 07.00 Rise, milk the goat & set out to pasture. 07.30 Let out ducks & chickens. Collect eggs. 08.00 Breakfast. 08.30 Walk children to school bus / cycle to school. 09.00 Marketing educational work. 12.00 Harvest lunch. 12.30 Lunch. 13.30 Woodland garden mulch, plant & maintain. 15.30 Mulching fruit. 17.00 Feed & put away ducks & chickens. 17.30 Bring in, feed & milk goat. 18.30 Dinner.

Pascale 07.00 Childcare. 08.00 Breakfast. 09.00 Sowing seed in polytunnel. 11.00 Preparing ground. Mulching fruit. Planting out. 12.30 Lunch. 13.30 Woodland garden mulch, plant & maintain. 15.00 Collect children from school bus / cycle. 16.00 Harvest dinner. Childcare. 18.30 Dinner.

SUMMER Pascale 07.00 Rise, milk the goat & set out to pasture. 07.30 Let out ducks & chickens. Collect eggs. 08.00 Breakfast. 08.30 Walk children to school bus / cycle to school.

81 09.00 Packing for sales. Harvest lunch. 12.30 Lunch. 13.30 Weeding. Planting. 17.00 Feed & put away ducks & chickens. 17.30 Bring in, feed & milk goat. 18.30 Dinner.

Tom 07.00 Childcare. 07.30 Breakfast. 08.00 Produce to market. 15.00 Collect children from school bus / cycle. 16.00 Harvest dinner. Childcare. 18.30 Dinner.

AUTUMN Pascale 07.00 Rise, milk the goat & set out to pasture. 07.30 Let out ducks & chickens. Collect eggs. 08.00 Breakfast. 08.30 Walk children to school bus / cycle to school. 09.00 Composting. 12.00 Harvest lunch. 12.30 Lunch. 13.30 Food processing. 17.00 Feed & put away ducks & chickens. 17.30 Bring in, feed & milk goat. 18.30 Dinner.

Tom 07.00 Childcare. 08.00 Breakfast. 09.00 Host educational visit. 15.00 Collect children from school bus / cycle. 16.00 Harvest dinner. Childcare. 18.30 Dinner.

WINTER Tom 07.00 Rise, milk the goat & feed. 07.30 Let out ducks & chickens. Collect eggs.

82 08.00 Breakfast. 08.30 Walk children to school bus / cycle to school. 09.00 Pruning. Tree planting. 12.00 Harvest lunch. 12.30 Lunch. 13.30 Fencing. Building maintenance. 17.00 Feed & put away ducks & chickens. 17.30 Bring in, feed & milk goat. 18.30 Dinner.

Pascale 07.00 Childcare. 08.00 Breakfast. 09.00 Weaving. 12.30 Lunch. 13.30 Household work. 15.00 Collect children from school bus / cycle. 16.00 Harvest dinner. Childcare. 18.30 Dinner.

9.0 Sati’s House Designs & Field Layout Plan

House floor plan – not to scale

House Elevations

House Section

86 Design and Access Statement (DAS)

For Tom O’Kane & Pascale Mesple in relation to a Low Impact Home and Business proposed on Land Adjacent to Binchurn Farm, Llanon, St Davids.

Content 1.0 Background 2.0 Physical Context 3.0 Social Context 4.0 Economic Context 5.0 Environmental Sustainability 6.0 Movement to, from & within the development 7.0 Character 8.0 Community Safety 9.0 Accessibility 10.0 Local and national Policies

1.0 Background

1.1 The O’Kane family purchased the 15.21 acres of land in December 2010. We then developed a business plan & planning application to establish a low impact home & land based business.

Vision Statement To work consciously with this piece of land, our family, the local and wider community and environment for a greater understanding and benefit of all. • To create a sustainable, inspiring and functional family home. • To produce and sell a range of home grown organic products. • To offer educational opportunities to a cross section of the local and wider community. • To enhance and protect the diversity of the site. • To live a low impact lifestyle for local and global benefit.

1.2 The land is within Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority. We are choosing to apply for planning permission under two policies. Local policy - Policy 47 / 52 Making a Positive Contribution of the Pembrokeshire JUDP. National policy - TAN 6, One Planet Development of the WAG.

1.3 The main body of our application contains much detail to which the DAS will refer rather than repeating.

1.4 It is the aim of this DAS to set the context for this development & demonstrate the design principals and concepts that have been applied.

1.5 The DAS is a working document which will develop as the project develops through and beyond its planning stages.

1.6 The key policies

Pembrokeshire JUDP POLICY 52 LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT MAKING A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION 4 Low impact development that makes a positive contribution will only be permitted where: i) the proposal will make a positive environmental, social and/or economic contribution with public benefit; and ii) all activities and structures on site mhave low impact in terms of the environment and use of resources; and iii) opportunities to reuse buildings which are available in the proposal’s area of operation have been investigated and shown to be impracticable; and iv) the development is well integrated into the landscape and does not have adverse visual effects; and v) the proposal requires a countryside location and is tied directly to the land on which it is located, and involves agriculture, forestry or horticulture; and vi) the proposal will provide sufficient livelihood for and substantially meet the needs of residents on the site; and vii) the number of adult residents should be directly related to the functional requirements of the enterprise; and viii) in the event of the development involving members of more than one family, the proposal will be managed and controlled by a trust, co-operative or other similar mechanism in which the occupiers have an interest.

WAG Technical Advice Note 6 4.15.1 The Sustainable Development Scheme, “One Wales: One Planet” includes an objective that within the lifetime of a generation, Wales should use only its fair share of the earth’s resources, and our ecological footprint be reduced to the global average availability of resources - 1.88 global hectares per person in 2003. One Planet Developments take forward Low Impact Development (LID) principles in the Welsh context. One Planet Development is development that through its low impact either enhances or does not significantly diminish environmental quality. One Planet Development is potentially an exemplar type of sustainable development. One Planet Developments should initially achieve an ecological footprint of 2.4 global hectares per person or less in terms of consumption and demonstrate clear potential to move towards 1.88 global hectare target over time. They should also be zero carbon in both construction and use.

4.16 Management plans

88 4.16.1 Planning applications for land based One Planet Developments located in the open countryside need to be supported by robust evidence. A management plan, produced by a competent person(s), must accompany planning applications for this type of development. The management plan should set out the objectives of the proposal, timetable for development of the site and timescale for review. It should be used as the basis of a legal agreement relating to the occupation of the site, should planning consent be granted. The management plan should cover the following areas: • Business and Improvement plan to identify whether there is a need to live on the site and establish the level of the inhabitants’ requirements in terms of income, food energy and waste assimilation that can be obtained directly from the site (See paragraph 4.17.1); • Ecological footprint analysis of the development (See paragraph 4.18.1); • Carbon analysis of the development (See paragraphs 4.19.1 - 4.19.2); • Biodiversity and landscape assessment (See paragraph 4.20.1); • Community impact assessment to identify potential impacts on the host community (both positive and negative) and provide a basis to identify and implement any mitigation measures that may be necessary (See paragraph 4.21.1 ), and; • Transport assessment and travel plan to identify the transport needs of the inhabitants and propose sustainable travel solutions

The full planning application includes all of the details required in the above policies. We comply with all the necessary aspects of Policy 47 / 52 and TAN 6. Please see our full application.

Policy 1 NATIONAL PARK PURPOSES AND DUTY (Strategy Policy) Development within the National Park must be compatible with: a) the conservation or enhancement of the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Park, and b) the public understanding and enjoyment of those qualities.

In determining proposals, due regard will be paid to the need to foster the economic and social well-being of the local communities within the Park provided this is compatible with the statutory National Park purposes embodied in the foregoing considerations.

We support all of the purposes & duties of the national park & seek to work in partnership with & for the benefit of the park. This is discussed in detail within the vision statement. 2.0 Physical Context

2.1 The site lies approximately 5 miles East of St David’s. It is adjoining the settlement of Llannon, approximately 1 mile south of Trefin. For a site map please refer to the main application.

89 2.2 The land is made up of approximately 14 acres of open pasture divided into two enclosures and 1 acre of rough grazing and woodland. Please refer to the main application for a field map.

2.3 The landscape context is coastal farmland within the national park. The area contains a gently undulating agricultural landscape of medium sized fields with a close proximity to and relationship with the adjacent coast. The area is interspersed with regular scattered farms & occasional hamlets and small villages with occasional areas of small wooded clumps and scrub. Views from higher ground to east provide coastal association.

2.4 The soils of reasonable depth & fertility to grow a range of crops. Historically this is a grain growing area. On these fields, many crops have been grown including potatoes and cereals. For a full evaluation of climate and soils, refer to the main application.

2.5 There are presently no buildings on the site.

2.6 We have carried out a baseline ecological survey of the land. (Please see appendices of main application). On the basis of this survey, we seek to enhance the existing natural habitat through protection of present areas of diversity, by further tree planting, hedgerow improvement and pond creation.

2.7 We will become organically certified, so that the land will be worked without the use of chemicals or artificial fertilizers. Cultivations and hedgerow cutting will be timed to suit natural cycles & soil / weather conditions.

2.8 Buildings will become a part of the natural environment, regulating localised water and wind movement in their immediate vicinity, through the use of wind break plantings, rainwater harvesting systems and natural systems for household water and solid waste management.

3.0 Social Context

3.1 This development will have a strong educational element as required under policy 47 / 52 of the JUDP. Through practical sustainable development in the design and management of the site and buildings, we seek to engage a range of groups and individuals. These may include youth groups, schools, community groups and individuals / families with specific learning interests.

90 For further information, please refer to our business plan in the main application.

3.2 We seek to work in partnership with local organisations, such as COCA, St David’s Community Supported Agriculture Project. Hereby engaging with local people on a trade and educational / social basis. Please see letter of support from COCA in appendices.

3.3 We seek to supply fresh organic produce to local residents and businesses in the immediate area, including the significant tourist trade over the summer months. This trade will take place from a farm shop, local markets and by delivery. All of these outlets provide an opportunity for education on sustainable living and food production. Please refer to business plan.

4.0 Economic Context

4.1 The family plan to create a thriving business based around a truly sustainable small holding. For full details refer to the business plan. In brief, this business will include:

• The supply of organic fruit & vegetables to local people, businesses and tourists. • The supply of organic vegetable seed to a number of small to medium sized seed companies. • The provision of educational experiences to a range of groups and individuals.

4.2 Market research has proven the demand for local organic produce via discussions with local businesses, individuals, seed companies and COCA. Please refer to business plan for full details.

4.3 As discussed in detail within the main application under ‘Sustainable Livelihood,’ we will be generating 75% of our basic needs from the land within three / four years and 100% within five years. As stipulated under Policy 47 / 52 and TAN 6.

4.4 WAG TAN 6 6.1 WAGs objective is a sustainable & profitable future for farming families & businesses through the production & processing of farm products while safeguarding the environment, animal health & welfare, adapting to climate change & mitigating its impacts, while contributing to the vitality & prosperity of our rural communities.

5.0 Environmental Sustainability

5.1 Environmental sustainability is at the core of this development. This is reflected in many aspects of the projects design and future management. Our vision statement includes:

To enhance and protect the diversity of the site. To live a low impact lifestyle for local and global benefit.

5.2.1 Pembrokeshire NPA LDP 3.10A Biodiversity and Geodiversity To conserve and enhance appropriate habitats and species within the National Park

In relation to land / habitat management and organic certification, please refer to sections 2.7 – 2.9 above. Also refer to land management techniques and ecological surveys in the main application.

5.3 TAN 6 and Policy 47 / 52 are developed for the purpose of making significant lifestyle changes, in order to reduce negative human environmental impacts on our planet. An in depth ecological footprint analysis has been carried out for the family, which illustrates how they will reduce their footprint to 1.9 global hectares within five years. This is the figure recognised by WAG, to allow an equal share of natural resources to all and which is necessary to make one planet living possible. Please refer to appendices for the full ecological footprint report.

5.4 Building and site design

5.4.1 WAG TAN 12 Design 3.3 Collaboration A multi disciplined collaborative approach and a shared ambition for quality are important in delivering good design and should be evident at each stage of the design process. This is best achieved by ensuring the continuous involvement of professionals providing expert advice such as: planners;architects; urban designers; landscape architects; transport engineers; access officers; police architectural liaison officers; local civic societies and others. Engaging those who procure, promote and finance development early on in the process is essential to assist a shared commitment to design quality.

The family have consulted with a range of experienced advisors in the design of the site and buildings. They will continue to work with these and other

92 experts as the project develops, to ensure its environmental sustainability. These include:

• An environmental architectural designer • A number of timber framers • A straw bale building expert • A woodland management advisor • A renewable energy consultant • A water management consultant and trainer (CAT) • A waste management consultant and trainer (CAT) • A permaculture designer and trainer • An agroforestry designer and trainer • A large number of self builders, including LAMMAS • Organic certification advisors • An ecological surveyor • An ecological footprint analyst

5.4.2 PCNPA Policy 29 – Sustainable Design We have a combined approach to design & construction. This includes ecological low impact structures, made with local materials & designed to withstand local weather conditions. The designs complement place & distinctiveness in that they reflect & blend into the surrounding countryside, through use of single storey buildings, green roofing & landscaping. Neighbouring properties are of varying designs, ages & styles which do not all complement place. Green roofing & landscaping will also complement the buildings interaction & support of local biodiversity.

5.4.3 The O’Kane family have over 15 years experience in land based social / environmental projects, which have included a great deal of site and buildings design and management. They also have formal qualifications or training in organic farming, permaculture design, agroforestry design and energy efficiency.

5.4.4 The site is developed along permaculture principals (as discussed in policy 47 / 52), which ensures that the layout makes maximum use of all available human and environmental resources in the most efficient and sustainable way. Please refer to main application for permaculture design description in ‘Sustainable Livelihood’ section.

93 5.4.5 Buildings are designed to use local natural materials in the majority of their construction. Please refer to main application for full building deign and materials use including UV values etc.

5.4.6 All development within the site will designed to blend in and enhance the surrounding environment. Please refer to buildings design in main application and the ‘landscape and visual assessment’ in the appendices.

5.4.7 The main application sets out in detail, how the development will mange water, waste and generate power using environmentally sensitive systems.

5.4.8 PCNPA Policy 8 – Special qualities Special qualities are enhanced by; • Retaining sense of remoteness through retention of open upper fields & extension of woodland & wildlife areas. Buildings blended with greenery & banking so as not to be seen. • Pattern & diversity of landscape is enhanced via return to old field patterns, woodland area & small scale mixed organic farming. More conducive to the NP than large scale industrial farming & large open fields. The return to small diverse systems will encourage the preservation of habitat & species named in the Local Biodiversity Action Plan. For example hunting habitat in establishing new plant woodland & nesting boxes for the Barn Owl. • Restoration of the national parks ecosystems, through wildlife areas, woodland replanting & protection of native plant & animal species discussed in the baseline ecological survey. • Use & training in the development of the Welsh language.

5.4.9 PCNPA Policy 15 – Conservation of the PCNP This development will not adversely effect the character of the NP, but enhance it. This will be achieved through; • No significant visual intrusion through materials use, scale & landscaping. • All buildings are sited sensitively on the lower slopes to avoid any visual intrusion. • The development is designed to blend in a natural way with surrounding landforms, fields, hedgerows & woodlands to complement the natural character of the place. • As a low impact structure, it is innovative in design & shape, so does not follow recent historical architecture, which has moved away from

94 locally available construction materials. This is a return to a true use of local materials & a sense of place to enhance the local environment.

5.5 Pembrokeshire NPA LDP 2.3 C. Climate change, sustainable design, flooding, sustainable energy More has to be done to address factors contributing to climate change, and to manage and adapt to the effects of climate change

3.10 C Renewable Energy To improve energy conservation and efficiency and to contribute to national targets for renewable energy. (Policy 33)

Soil, Air and Water Quality To safeguard and enhance the soil, air and water quality of the National Park.

The focus of working biodynamically and organically with the land seeks to improve soil quality, create a self sufficient closed farming system and consequently guarantee the air and water quality to the highest possible levels. This will be monitored and certified by Demeter, biodynamic /organic certification body for the UK.

5.6 Pembrokeshire JUDP 5.7.2 Policy 33 RENEWABLE ENERGY (Strategy Policy) Small scale renewable energy schemes will be considered favourably, subject to there being no over-riding environmental and amenity considerations.

The application includes a description of the renewable energy technology to be developed on site. PV energy proposed is of a reasonable scale & sited within the car park, screened by banking & planting.

5.7 WAG TAN 22

4.17 Figure 9 low and zero carbon solutions

1 – Reduce Energy Demand

Space heating and lighting are designed with passive solar energy use at their basis. On site work and some sales from site reduces commuting. Building materials will be locally sourced, natural materials largely worked on site.

2 – Energy Efficiency

95 Maximum use of low impact highly insulative straw bale walls and other natural insulators, double and triple glazing. All lighting will be low energy.

3 - Low and Zero Carbon Energy Technologies

Power will be produced on site by renewables. Heating sources are efficient woodburners with heating fuel grown on site. Vehicle fuel will be largely waste vegetable oil.

5.8 We have adhered to all of the recommendations made in the following document. ‘Sustainable Design in the National Parks of Wales’ Spring 2009. Page 8 ‘Key Principles of Sustainable Design’ These encompass; Energy Materials & resources Water Use Landscape & biodiversity Place & local distinctiveness Robust building

6.0 Movement to, from and within the Development

6.1 Movement within the development will be largely pedestrian. A tractor will be used to a small extent at certain times of the year. A hard standing area at the entrance will serve as a parking and turning space for visitors. This will be large enough to park approximately five cars.

6.2 Movement to and from the site is outlined in detail within the main application. See appendices for ‘Transport Assessment and Travel Plan.’ This details local transport links including bus, train, bike, road access and public footpaths. It also gives an estimate of numbers trips to and from the site for various modes of transport.

6.3 The parking area will be located just within the main entrance. This will be unobtrusive. It will be demarked by new hedge banks, which will be partially planted with hedging & partially fitted with cleft oak fencing and gates for field and pedestrian access.

6.4 WAG TAN 6

96 3.1.2 Planning authorities should support the diversification of the rural economy as a way to provide employment opportunities, increase local economic prosperity & minimise the need to travel for employment.

3.1.4 Planning authorities should encourage the growth of self employment & micro businesses by adopting a supportive approach to home based work.

We are offering not only the opportunity for our family to create a sustainable home based business, but we seek to work in partnership with other local businesses to offer training & education. This will lead to a strengthened local food economy & increased skills amongst the local population. We are working in partnership with a number of groups to create an organic growers co-operative & training group.

6.5 The National Parks in Wales – Sustainable Tourism Initiative National Parks are an internationally known brand associated with a quality landscape and natural heritage. They offer the potential to build a premium quality tourism brand rooted in sustainability given that the wider visitor experience matches the quality of the landscape and is based on operating practices that seek to improve the sustainability of tourism within the Parks. Building a premium brand will enable operators within the Parks to charge premium prices and, thereby, improve the profitability of their businesses. The Welsh National Parks could also become exemplars for sustainable tourism within Wales and, thereby, pilot the techniques and approaches required to make Wales itself a more sustainable tourism destination.

We are presently working with a group of organisations & local businesses who seek to make St David’s a ‘sustainable food city.’ This is supported by a number of groups & funders. This would build on St David’s as a green holiday destination, boosting income to the area & increasing the flow of visitor wealth into the local economy.

7.0 Character

7.1 The focus for the buildings and site development is low impact in terms of both natural resource use and visual impact. Natural materials in buildings design, combined with landscaping, tree planting, hedgerow renewal and habitat management will ensure a character that will be in fitting with its surroundings and the National Park.

97 7.2 Renewable energy in the form of solar power will be developed with minimal visual impact, through landscaping, planting, choice of positioning and reasonable scale limitations to that of the development needs.

7.3 Key development policies within the 2010 Pembrokeshire NPA LDP are outlined below. These cover other areas of the DAS, but are included here as they can be generally given the overall heading of ‘character’ within the national park. Where no comment is made on a point, we consider this development to comply clearly without need for argument.

Pembrokeshire NPA LDP Policy 1 NATIONAL PARK PURPOSES AND DUTY (Strategy Policy) Development within the National Park must be compatible with: a) the conservation or enhancement of the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Park, and

This development seeks to enhance natural habitat, protect wildlife & enhance the natural beauty through natural building, landscaping, tree planting and creating a range of habitats, as detailed in the main application. It also seeks to promote cultural heritage through traditional forms of farming, craft work & building.

b) the public understanding and enjoyment of those qualities.

The development will offer learning opportunities in the above mentioned crafts, farming & building methods to a range of local & national groups & individuals. A permissive public footpath, training, volunteering & open days will make the site accessible to visitors who wish to learn about the local natural habitat, sustainable, farming & living skills.

Please see community impact assessment & business plan which outlines how the local community & economy will benefit from the development.

Policy 8 SPECIAL QUALITIES (Strategy Policy) The special qualities of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park will be protected and enhanced. The priorities will be to ensure that: a) The sense of remoteness and tranquillity is not lost and is wherever possible enhanced – see Policy 9.

98 b) The identity and character of towns and villages is not lost through coalescence and ribboning of development or through the poor design and layout of development. The identification of Green Wedges will assist in achieving this priority. c) The pattern and diversity of the landscape is protected and enhanced – see Policy 14 and Policy 15. d) The historic environment is protected and where possible enhanced

This development will return to older field patterns, sizes & methods of farming & construction, more in fitting with the areas history . In recent years, there has been a move to industrial scale farming dominating the national parks as in the rest of the country. In this sense, the national parks are no longer significantly different to farmland outside of the parks. They have become dominated by; large open mono-cultural fields, reliant upon large machine operations, deteriorating hedgerows, removal of scrub woodland, production of crops for sale outside of the locality, intensive use of herbicides, pesticides & mineral fertilizers, each of which rely upon unsustainable resources & do lasting damage to the soils, air, water & wildlife within the parks. .

e) Development restores or wherever possible enhances the National Park’s ecosystems. The protection of links between sites or the creation of links where sites have become isolated is of particular importance – see Policy 10 and Policy 11. A phase 1 baseline ecological survey has identified current ecosystems. The development seeks to enhance & restore in line with these findings. For full details see the management plan.

f) Development which would damage or destroy Geological Conservation Review sites or any other important geological resource is not permitted. g) Local biodiversity action plan species and habitats are protected for their amenity, landscape and biodiversity value – see Policy 11. h) The Welsh language remains an important component in the social, cultural and economic life of many communities in the Park – see Policy 12.

The O’Kane family have a good grasp of Welsh language & culture & are keen to grow this knowledge within the development. We have chosen a site close to a bilingual school, where there is still a vibrant Welsh culture for our children & ourselves.

i) Development of the undeveloped coast is avoided and sites within stretches of the developed coast are protected for uses that need a coastal location –see Policy 17, Policy 18, Policy 33 and Policy 35.

Policy 15 Conservation of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Development will not be permitted where this would adversely affect the qualities and special character of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park by: a) causing significant visual intrusion; and/or, b) being insensitively and unsympathetically sited within the landscape; and/or

All development on the site will be landscaped with tree planting & appropriate banking. Buildings are set behind present field boundaries, low on the horizon from any public viewpoints. (See landscape & visual assessment appendix 3). Buildings will be made of natural materials & will enhance their surroundings.

c) introducing or intensifying a use which is incompatible with its location; and/or d) failing to harmonise with, or enhance the landform and landscape character of the National Park; and/or e) losing or failing to incorporate important traditional features

The return of the fields to more traditional sizes, combined with traditional farming & building techniques can be considered traditional features. Also the centralised farm & outbuildings creating a natural courtyard. Natural local materials will form the basis of the buildings construction.

8.0 Community Safety

8.1 Area’s of the site accessible to the public will be fully risk assessed and insured where any groups are invited for educational activity or when the farm shop is open for public access.

8.2 During and beyond the construction period, volunteers working on site will be fully safety trained and have a thorough understanding of risk assessment and safety procedures.

8.3 All buildings will be locked for security when not in immediate use.

9.0 Accessibility

9.1 Any buildings or conveniences developed for public access will be wheelchair accessible.

100 9.2 The site is largely level. It is perfectly accessible for the ambulant disabled.

9.3 Access throughout the site will be wheelchair accessible to some degree, although as this is a rural development, it would be more relevant for wheelchair users accessing the site to acquire equipment suited to the terrain.

101 Appendix 3 Landscape & Visual Assessment

For 15 acres of land adjacent to Binchurn Farm, trefin, Pembs.

Proposed site for home & business by Tom O’Kane & Pascale Mesple

Contents Landscape & visual effects

1.1 Introduction p.2 1.2 Assessment methodology p.2 1.3 Planning context p.2 1.4 Site location & context p.2 1.5 Landscape character assessment p.3 1.6 Existing views p.4 1.7 Mitigation p.5 1.8 Landscape impact assessment p.7

Appendix 1 Photographs of viewpoints from visual receptors p.9 Appendix 2 The visual impact schedules p.13 Appendix 3 Receptor & viewpoint location plan p.15

102

Landscape & Visual Effects 1.1 Introduction 1.1.1 This report is prepared for 15.21 acres of land as detailed in Tom O’Kane & Pascale Mesple planning application. 1.1.2 The report appraises the existing landscape context; existing features of the landscape & views as well as any potential impacts of the proposed development on the surrounding landscape views.

1.2 Assessment Methodology Assessemnt has considered; • Landmap exercise covering the area • The landscape in which the site sits • Effects upon views from both public & private view points

Landscapes have been considered in terms of their quality, their value & their capacity to accommodate change. Finally we have considered mitigation methods, where impacts will impact on the landscape. 1.3 Planning context 1.3.1 The proposed development lies just within the boundary of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority. 1.3.2 The existing statutory development plan is the JUDP adopted by PCNPA on 13 th July 2006. 1.3.3 No specific landscape policies apply to the site. 1.3.4 The land is agricultural land adjoining the settlement of Llannon. 1.3.5 The proposed development is to be considered under policy 52 (Low Impact making a Positive Difference) of the JUDP. It can also be considered under TAN 6, One Planet Development of the WAG.

1.4 Site Description & Context 1.4.1 The site lies approximately 5 miles East of St Davids, approximately 1 mile south of the village of Trefin & sits on the edge of the settlement of Llannon. The surrounding landscape is rural, coastal & agricultural. The site extends to 15.21 acres. 1.4.2 The site lies at its lowest point 80 metres & highest point 100 metres above sea level. There is a gentle slope from south to north. Two large fields making up approximately 14 acres have wind blown hedges mostly of blackthorn & some willow to the lower north side. To the west sits lower wet ground, where a sheltered hollow of approximately 1.5 acres is dominated by rough grazing, sycamore, ash, blackthorn & hawthorn. A

103 small stream runs through this area continuing down to the sea below via a similar wet wooded shallow valley. 1.4.3 The landscape context is coastal farmland adjoining a small settlement. This is defined by field boundaries made up of broadleaf hedgerows with some areas of low lying woodland. 1.4.4 Beyond the immediate confines of the site, views reach out to Strumble Head in the north east & the village of Trefin to the north. To the north are views onto the Irish Sea.

1.5 Landscape Character Assessment 1.5.1 Using CCW LANDMAP exercise, we have gathered a baseline landscape character assessment. The exercise assesses the value of the landscape from various perspectives. We are concerned primarily with the visual & sensory assessment.

Visual & sensory - Rolling farmland – High value General area description - The St Nicholas aspect area contains a gently undulating agricultural landscape of medium sized fields with a close proximity to and relationship with the adjacent coast. The area is interspersed with regular scattered farms & occasional hamlets and small villages with occasional areas of small wooded clumps and scrub. Views from higher ground to east provide coastal association.

Recommendations - Medium Term (Retain the coastal agricultural nature of the area through considered planning of developments.) Medium Term (Maintain field boundaries particularly hedges and woodland clumps.)

Tolerance to change – not known 1.5.2 The general landscape is one in which developments will need to be sensitive & blend in with the natural & historic built environment.

A note on surrounding architecture 1.5.3 In the proposed site, development will be less intrusive as it is near to a small hamlet & alongside a minor road. Immediately to the west is a large modern metal barn/workshop from which a carpentry business is run. To the south across a minor road is a modern bungalow. To the east is a large farmhouse also of non traditional construction. In all cases, the local vernacular architecture is not complemented, so further development could be considered less intrusive than existing structures in the area.

104 1.6 Existing Views Refer to Appendix 1 for photographs Refer to Appendix 2 for the visual impact schedule Refer to Appendix 3 for the Receptor & Viewpoint Location Plan

1.6.1 This section covers the existing views from the proposed development to the surrounding landscape & the corresponding views into the site from adjacent & outlying areas. This includes the visual envelope (the extent of main views), views from public rights of way, views from other locations & night time views. 1.6.2 Visual envelope: The site of the proposed development is to the north of the minor road which runs between Binchurn Farm & Llannon Farm. Its northern boundary extends two fields deep to meet neighboring fields. See maps in main planning application. 1.6.3 Views from public rights of way: A footpath passes from Llannon Farm to the north, running toward the Sewage works in the valley below. This path passes through a field to the north west & adjoining the proposed development site. At this point, the site is open to public view. 1.6.4 Views from Residential receptors: The land is viewed clearly from four nearby properties. To the south are Ty Carreg & Maesgwyn. Another property lies a short distance further up hill to the south west of Maesgwyn. To the west is Bwthyn-to-Maen. To the east are Binchurn Farm & Penlan. There are some properties that have less significant views lying to the north west. The land is also viewed from the village of Trefin. 1.6.5 Night time views – The site is presently dark at night.

Principal visual Receptors 1.6.6 Receptors 2, 3 & 5 These receptors are residential properties ranging from 20 to 500 metres from the site. Residences directly to the south & south west would have more significant views onto the site. Residential properties to the North West have not been included due to limited views. 1.6.7 Receptor footpath The photograph from viewpoint 1 gives a fair impression of views from this receptor. Public passing by on this footpath would see into the north west corner of the development site, & up toward the north east corner of the property where the cluster of buildings will sit. 1.6.8 Receptor no.4 Minor road adjoining the south field. From this point any vehicles passing by will see into the development site from the gateway. They will have a view northward across the entire site.

105 1.6.9 Receptor no.6 From the village of Trefin the site is approximately 1.5Km. Due to the fall of the land, when viewed from Trefin (a shallow northerly aspect, with a hill continuing to rise behind), the site view is limited as seen in the photograph / view 6.

1.7 Mitigation 1.7.1 The purpose of mitigation is primarily to avoid any significant negative or adverse effects on the landscape arising from the proposed development. Where this is not possible, reduction or remedy to offset the impact of the proposed development may be required.

Overall measures 1.7.2 The buildings will be single storey with green roofing. 1.7.3 By its very nature the development is likely to have only limited impact on landscape perception. The main buildings on the site will largely be constructed from natural materials sourced locally & will be designed to form part of the landscape. 1.7.4 The buildings are clustered closely together near the roadside in line with existing development. 1.7.5 Vegetation. Wherever possible, existing field boundaries will be retained and additional wildlife corridors will be created using an indigenous mix of types to preserve and enhance visual diversity. Additional woodland buffer planting around the boundary of the site will also be used to reduce views onto the site. Mitigation planting will be carried out in the early stages of the development to ensure early establishment and screening. This will result in the early maturation of the site into a natural part of the overall landscape. It is intended that this process will be substantially complete by year 5 of the development. 1.7.6 Lighting. Given the intention of a low impact development running on renewable resources of energy it is not intended to create any sources of light external to the buildings. Within the dwellings light sources will be low energy & directed rather than high energy and general. The main dwelling will be south facing with plantings between it and any close receptors, so lighting should not be an issue.

Specific mitigation for each structure

House – This will primarily be viewed from the private housing receptors to the south west & the gateway to the south. For these reasons we have chosen to site the cluster of buildings in the north east corner of the property. This position is

106 low in the landscape to avoid views from the road & neighbouring properties. Here the buildings will be developed behind an established hedgerow. A second bank will be planted up to thicken that hedgerow & trees planted inside this new hedge bank. A new hedge bank will be established right around the area where buildings are to be developed. In addition, a new double hedge bank with internal trackway will be created from the gateway to the buildings cluster. There will be a gentle curve in the track so that the track & buildings are further hidden by the newly established bank & hedge. Visual impact will be further reduced by plantings as marked on the proposed site plan. A natural screen will be created with trees, & hedge bank to the south of the buildings cluster in order to reduce impact from the village of Trefin. The building itself will incorporate the use of natural materials, including lime plaster & timber clad exterior, turf/sedum, slate or wood shingle roofing. The building will be relatively low in the landscape with no imposing features or large windows facing nearby residential properties.

Barn – The barn will be partially hidden to the south as described for house above. It will be relatively low in the landscape & incorporate natural materials such as turf/sedum roof & timber clad walls.

Education room – This will be constructed at a later date once the trees to the south have partly established. It will blend in to newly planted trees. It is a simple, small, low building of timber frame construction, with lime plaster external walls and a turf/sedum roof.

Polytunnel – This is located in a dip to the west of the site. Initially it will be viewed from to a small extent from all receptors, but as plantings establish it will become hidden from all receptors. This field will become enclosed by newly planted broadleaf trees, soft fruit & orchard over time.

Compost toilet – This will be a small timber structure. It will be timber clad, with a turf / sedum roof. This is placed in the far south east corner. It will be hidden by an existing established hedge & new tree planting from all sides.

Parking area – Immediately to the east of the entrance, this is hidden by the existing hedgerow & will be further hidden to views from Trefin by banking & hedging.

Solar panels – These will be incorporated into the parking area. They will be hidden from public view by banking & hedge planting to their north.

107 Volunteer sleeping space – This will be built of natural materials with a turf/sedum roof. It is placed to the north side of the existing hedge bank. It will not be viewed from the south as other buildings & new plantings will prevent this.

Please refer to drawings projected onto photos included within the main application. These give a clear impression of the finished buildings & landscaping.

1.8 Landscape Impact Assessment 1.8.1 The proposed development would have a number of effects on the landscape, landscape elements and features. Most of the effects will bring a change of degree rather than type given that the primary nature of the development will be agricultural. There will thus be largely agricultural development within a largely agricultural landscape. The additional dwellings will blend into the landscape, will not create any significant levels of light pollution and once they have matured will very much form a part of the landscape. The buildings could arguably be considered to enhance the landscape. The house, barn and educational building are located in a cluster as is traditional for other small holdings in the area. This lower field position is chosen for least impact, as there is the greatest opportunity to use an existing hedge bank, the natural fall of the land & new plantings to blend the buildings within the landscape. The polytunnel is potentially the most visually intrusive structure on the site. The polytunnel will be sited away from the main cluster and down in a hollow alongside the woodland, where combined with new plantings, in time this will not be viewed from anywhere outside the site.

Overall, whilst the development will have some visual impact, given the low impact nature of the proposal and the mitigation measures set out in this report, then the impact should not be significant.

There is an argument that the busy nature of this development is not in fitting with the national park.

The completed development will integrate gently into its surroundings as displayed by the super imposed photo images. The present landscape of scrub woodland, hedges & open fields will be built upon in a natural pattern. To this extent, the buildings & polytunnel will practically be unseen.

The orchard area will be hidden with a block of trees on 4 sides.

108 Approximately 2 acres of horticultural land will be viewed from the road & to a small extent from the village of Trefin. Horticulture is a common site with Pembrokeshire Coast National Park & is an essential part of it’s economic, social & cultural wellbeing.

Appendix 1 Photographs of viewpoints from visual receptors

Viewpoint 1 – From public right of way to the west Polytunnel

109

Viewpoint 2 – From residential properties to south & south west

Polytunnel Buildings cluster

Viewpoint 3 – From residential property in the west

Proposed buildings cluster

110

Viewpoint 4 – From minor road gateway adjoining southern end of land

Polytunnel Buildings cluster

Viewpoint 5 – From residential properties to the East (Photo from near Penlan approx 500m)

Buildings cluster

111

Viewpoint 6 – From Trefin Village

Proposed buildings cluster Polytunnel

112

113 Appendix 2 The visual impact schedules

Date: Weather: Sheet No: 1 Receptor/ Receptor Receptor type & description Approx. Angle Components of view Viewpoint distance of view No. from site 1 Public Right The receptor is a footpath 200 Direct Existing: As the path travels across a of Way which runs from Llannon Farm metres field to the north of Llannon Farm, to the north, toward the there is a section of approximately 300 coast. metres, from which there is a view across to the northern field. This is where the orchard, polytunnel & newly planted wildlife corridors will be situated. From this point there is also a distant view to the corner where the main cluster of buildings will be. 2 Residential The receptors are residential 20 to Direct Existing: These properties are situated properties properties, situated to the 150 in a slightly elevated position to the immediately south of the minor road metres south of the site. The 2 southerly to the adjoining the land. Another properties are particularly close. The south & property sits a short distance main cluster of proposed development south west up hill to the SW of the is situated outside of their line of view closer two properties. to Strumble Head. 3 Residential This residential property Adjoining Direct This house has no windows looking over property to adjoins the western edge of the land. There is a lawned area from the west the south field. which the south field is viewed directly.

114 Date: Weather: Sheet No: 2 Receptor/ Receptor Receptor type & description Approx. Angle Components of view Viewpoint distance of view No. from site 4 Minor road This is a minor road running 5 metres Direct The main view is from the gateway adjoining the length of the south field. looking down the centre of the site to south end the north. Intermittent views through of land gaps in the hedge, may be seen from taller vehicles passing along the southern boundary. 5 Residential Binchurn farm is a residential 300 to Direct When looking to the west from these properties property one field to the east 1000 properties, a hedgerow largely blocks to the east of the site boundary. Penlan metres views onto the site, although there are is on the road running to gaps in this hedge, where views may be Trefin. more direct. 6 ‘Trefin’ This is a village lying some 1.5 km Oblique The site viewed from Trefin is set at a Village to distance to the north. shallow northerly aspect, with a hill the north continuing to rise behind), the site view is limited.

115 Appendix 3 Receptor & viewpoint location plan

1 5

4 2

Note This map illustrates the planning area proposed (marked by black line). It also shows contours, woodland areas, streams etc.

116

Appendix 4 Transport assessment & travel plans

It is our aim to reduce any transport to & from the site which leads to increased carbon emissions.

Transport too & from the site fits into one of the following categories.

Business trips to market – For 5 months of the year, we will make a weekly trip to a local market place. This is most likely to be in St David’s which is a 16 mile return journey. This journey will be made using our van carrying produce. The van will run on waste vegetable oil (WVO), recycled from local businesses. This trip will incorporate any weekly shopping plus collection of waste oil.

Business trips to meetings – These will involve travelling to local schools, colleges, youth groups etc. in order to arrange educational visits to our site. We expect that these will be more frequent in the first 2 – 3 years, by which time we will have made enough contacts to attend far fewer business meetings. These will be done largely by bike & bus. In some instances it may be necessary to use our van running on WVO.

Educational visits to site – These will involve outside groups visiting us. In the case of schools, they would arrive on a mini-bus or coach. In the case of a coach, then they will be dropped at the junction of two minor roads 5 minutes walk from the property. During the walk to the site, we will explore the landscape & hedgerows for ecology & edible wild foods. Min-busses will park on our site. All groups will be encouraged to walk, cycle, car share or use public transport. We will provide them all with local travel & transport details. We aim to keep educational visits restricted to one day a week for the majority of the year, with the possibility of family camp over excursions for a number of weeks in the summer months.

Deliveries to site – These will be either goods for business or home consumption. We will buy some of our basic food needs in bulk to be delivered once every 2 months by van. This will reduce the need to travel further a field on a weekly basis to find household consumables which are not available locally. Business deliveries such as seeds will be very infrequent & orders concentrated at certain dates with certain businesses again to reduce transport.

117 Friends & family visits – We will again provide the local travel & transport information to all family & friends. We will encourage them to reduce their carbon emissions getting here & whilst staying.

Family trips – As a family we will make visits by foot, bike, bus, train & WVO van, to visit friends & places of interest.

School trips for our own children – The school is within 2 miles. There is a school bus, but in good weather the route is also cycleable & walkable via a public footpath which crosses neighbouring fields.

118 Overview of transport to & from site

Who Average Total No. No. of No. of No. of No. of miles per of trips trips by veg trips by trips by trips by trip per year oil powered public Foot / Private (return) van transport bike vehicle Workers 30 70 (aim for 15 25 during employed construction builders to stay on site phase for a week at a time) Business trips 16 20 20 to market Business trips 25 15 5 5 5 to meetings Educational 25 Yr1 8 8 visits to site yr2 10 10 yr3 15 15 Deliveries to As part of 6 6 site all Wales (delivery delivery network) service Friends & Local 10 40 20 5 15 family visits miles Wales 100 miles Family trips & 4 200 80 50 100 transport kids for lessons School trips 3 195 195 for our (school mini bus) children

Promotion of local cycle, walking, bus, coach & train routes.

We have good local transport links. The following information will be provided to all visitors / customers.

Foot - From the coast path & the local village of Trefin, there is a short footpath via neighbouring fields. The village of Square & Compass with garage & shop are within easy walking / cycling distance. Approximately ½ mile.

Cycle – Sustrans national route 4 passes within ½ mile of the site. This is glorious cycling country on safe back roads. (See http://www.sustrans.org.uk/sustrans-near-you/wales)

119 Bus - The fields are within easy walking distance (approximately ½ mile) from a bus stop. The stop has a regular service (a number of buses each day all year round) passing between Fishguard & St Davids. There is also a service from St Davids to Milford Haven & Haverfordwest. (See http://st.davidsinfo.org.uk/coastal_buses.htm#Strumble Shuttle)

Rail - From Fishguard there is a rail link which runs on a daily basis & links us to the rest of the UK & Europe. It takes approximately 2 hours to Swansea where much of Tom’s family is based. (See http://cymru.trapezegroup.co.uk/journeyplanner/showJourneysFound.do?rid=1288179315158)

School bus - There is a school bus, which will transport our children to the local primary school in Croesgoch. When feeling energetic the school is also within easy cycling distance (1.5 miles) or walking distance via a public footpath (1 mile).

Car / bus / minibus - The fields are accessed from a quiet minor road a short distance from the A487. The present gate is set back approximately 4 metres from the road. We plan to increase this to 7 metres to allow a vehicle to pull off the road & stop whist opening the gate.

120 Appendix 5 Community Impact Assessment Positive Impact Action Detail Benefit Educational • Provision of educational activity • Educational benefit to work around sustainable development to community & schools youth groups, schools, individuals • Raised profile & understanding etc. of practical sustainable • Construction of an educational room development with students / pupils / local, • Transferable skills leading to national & international volunteers / increased practical sustainable trainees development activity locally & • Site management activities with nationally groups to involve organic growing, livestock care, self sufficiency, sustainable waste management, woodland management etc. • Trainee opportunity in sustainable building & biodynamic / organic land management Organic • Fruit, vegetables & herbs for local • Low food miles produce people & businesses • Low carbon emissions in • Seed for UK seed suppliers minimal cultivation techniques • Preservation of local & national heritage seed • Land management that promotes biodiversity • Availability of organic local produce to local people, businesses & tourists • Increased presence of local produce will build an interest in self sufficiency & local identity Tree • 3 to 4 acres of newly planted • Carbon sequestration planting broadleaf woodland • Increased quantity of local • 1 to 2 acres of coppice woodland provenance trees • 0.5 acre woodland garden • Greater biodiversity • 1 acre fruit trees • Linking other woodland areas • Resources for local woodworkers • Renewable heating resource • Diversity of food crops for a changing climate • Preservation of local heritage fruit tree varieties Positive Impact (continued) Action Detail Benefit Local • Supply of organic produce to COCA • Positive working relationship business CSA St Davids with local enterprises

121 parnerships • Supply of seed to Real Seeds • Building resilience & self Newport reliance into the local • Supply of produce to local community businesses • Increased circulation of money in the local economy Site • Broadleaf woodland • Diversity of environment leads diversity • Scrub woodland to strength & natural • Coppice woodland resilience • No dig vegetable & fruit growing • Protection & increased plant, areas tree & wildlife diversity will • Cereals grow from the basis of diverse • Grazing habitats & land uses • Fodder crops • Preservation of local & rare • Orchard species • Ponds • Stream • Hedgerows Family life • Another family to contribute to • Positive input to local local community community activities • 2 more children in the local school • Increased numbers & support • Yoga teaching in the local to the local school through community voluntary contributions of the family • Increased learning & exercise opportunities for local people Welsh • Welsh language working days for • Promotion of Welsh language heritage local volunteers for learners & fluent speakers

Negative Impacts

Action Negative Impact Mitigation Building Visual impact on the landscape • Low impact buildings • Locally sourced natural materials • Tree plantings & landscaping to blend in • Open community engagement • Should enhance the landscape Planting Visual impact on the landscape • Diverse indigenous tree plantings will encourage ecological diversity • Open community engagement • Should enhance the landscape Fear of Negative view of development where • Open community engagement change outcomes are not clear through open days, outreach to local schools & community groups

122 • Volunteering days to describe how & what we are doing

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