The Unique Property Site

Ecological Homes

Simon Dale has built his own sustainable home for £3,000 mostly out of found objects, and using only a chain saw and a hammer.

He had this dream, the dream so many of you have, to live in woodland, close to nature, growing his own food, and generally living a low-impact life. Here are a few key points about his eco home:

• The timber comes from thinnings from the surrounding woodland
• Straw bales in the floor, walls and roof for insulation
• Plastic sheet, mud and turf for low impact roof
• Heating from a wood burner
• Flue goes through stone/plaster lump to retain and slow release heat
• Skylights for natural light
• Solar panels for electricity

Here are a few pictures of his home:







While we are on the subject, if an eco home interests you, have a look at the Lammas Project. This is a voluntary organisation that has been working to promote low impact development for the last three years. It was involved in the development of a Low Impact planning policy in Pembrokeshire, the first county in the UK to introduce one. This policy allows low impact building and living where it is tied to working the land for a simple livelihood. Lammas has since, with others, been lobbying for similar national policies. A Wales-wide policy is now in public consultation, and English agricultural planning guidance is going in the same direction.

Meanwhile Lammas has managed to get permission for a settlement of nine 5 acre low-impact smallholdings under Pembrokeshire's policy.

The Tir-y-Gafel settlement is well underway. Much of the infrastructure is now in place and the buildings are starting to go up. Thousands of trees have been planted, and gardens have been started, and homes are being built. To find out more about the settlement check out the Lammas website: www.lammas.org.uk

Lammas also provides advice and solidarity to those pursuing low impact living elsewhere.

Simon's website is at: http://www.simondale.net