Apologies for cross points, please read and consider supporting this important case, as well as forwarding to those who may be interested, thanks, Larch Dr. Larch Maxey Swansea University/Prifysgol Abertawe [log in to unmask] www.lammas.org.uk From: Dan Thompson-Mills Steward Community Woodland Moretonhampstead Newton Abbot Devon TQ13 8SD Tel 01647 440233 [log in to unmask] www.stewardwood.org 23/9/08 Dear Friends I am writing to let you know about the 8 year old eco-community I am involved in and our current struggle with the planning authorities. I hope that that you can pass on these details and publicise our project and appeal for financial support at this time. Steward Community Woodland is a low impact, sustainable project based in a 32 acre woodland near Moretonhampstead. The community currently comprises 11 adults and 7 children (with a baby on its way) living in dwellings we have built ourselves with materials from the wood and recycled/reused materials. Most are timber-frame structures, canvas covered and built on stilts to provide a flat floor on the sloping valleyside, with insulation and wood-burning stoves. Amongst our structures are raised beds with vegetables and flowers, fruit bushes and trees, as well as our renewable energy systems and large Growing Area. We spend our time managing the woodland (tree felling and planting, coppicing etc); growing food organically; building and maintaining our low impact structures and infrastructure; home educating our children; running Forest School sessions; running courses (such as permaculture design courses); and organising and catering for visiting volunteers. Unfortunately, despite the urgency of finding solutions to climate change and overwhelming local support for the project, the Dartmoor National Park Authority refused us planning permission to continue our sustainable way of life. Consequently, we have launched an Appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. A public inquiry has been set for 11/12th November 2008. We now urgently need donations to help pay for the solicitors costs and witness expenses (which will add up to as much as £20,000). Please, if you value what we are doing, consider contributing to our Appeal Fund. OUR ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR We have achieved much over the 8 years the project has been running. We have, for example - inspired thousands of visitors to the woods, to our website and to our stall at events, passing on skills, knowledge and information on sustainable living and permaculture (and we, in turn, have learnt from and been inspired by many of our visitors) - demonstrated renewable energy systems, such as micro hydro power, solar and cycle power - demonstrated organic food growing, incorporating permaculture ideas such as growing perennials and forest gardens - demonstrated low impact building and living over several years - sold some timber and woodland products (such as larch trees to build a barn at Proper Job in Chagford, and split larch fence posts) - run several successful residential permaculture design courses with students from around the UK and the world - contributed to the local community, through our involvement in various voluntary groups, running computer courses at the Library, offering computer support, organising events for Transition Town Moreton, breastfeeding peer counselling, etc. We have carried out a Carbon Audit which concludes that our carbon footprint is 23% of the national average. Fourth World Ecological Design have conducted an independent report this year which shows that "the average Ecological Footprint of the residents of Steward Community Woodland over the period studied was 2.06 gha, 39% of the the Ecological Footprint of a typical UK individual. The equivalent Carbon Footprint was 3.75 tonnes, 34% of the UK average at 10.92 tonnes." Consequently, we are a working model of sustainability and positive action for the benefit of people, animals and the Earth. We are an asset to the National Park and the local area. Our planning application is available for viewing on our website and in hard copy (please ring and we can lend it to you). Also, if you wish to visit us in the woods, you'd be most welcome (please call to arrange). KEY FEATURES OF OUR NEW PLANNING APPLICATION: · We are applying for a further temporary permission of 5 years, which would continue to be subject to conditions guaranteeing that only environmentally benign, low impact development and activities take place on the land. · Living on-site is essential for the continued viability of this sustainable project. Living on-site facilitates us to grow food and live without connection to any of the utilities (water, electricity, gas, sewage disposal). We provide all these services ourselves by ecological and sustainable means (filtered spring water, compost toilets, renewable energy, using wood from the land for fuel, etc). Living in conventional housing in nearby towns and commuting to the site could only be supported by having full-time (and well-paid) jobs elsewhere, leaving us with little or no time to carry out the project. Living in the woods enables us to dedicate our time to the project and be fully committed to it, and to home educate our children in a safe and nourishing environment. · We aim to meet our needs from a combination of subsistence living, commercial activities on site and from other ethically based work (such as working at Proper Job, the local composting, reuse/recycle centre). · We would like scope to employ eco-build techniques such as cob and strawbale construction, turf and thatch roof (these techniques have been used in many other places for low impact structures). · We are committed to reducing vehicle usage, sharing vehicles and only using biofuels in our vehicles. LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCESS We won our original 5 year planning permission on Appeal in 2002 and there are other important appeal decisions granting permission for low impact projects such as those for Tinkers Bubble in Somerset and Landmatters in Totnes. We are confident of success and are employing Battens solicitors who acted in all the above appeals. BANK DETAILS If you wish to make a donation, our bank details are as follows: Affinity Woodland Workers Co-operative Ltd Triodos Bank, Bristol Sort Code 16-58-10 Account No 03421700 Many Thanks. Love, Dan, Beccy, Merlin, Son, John, Seth, Mel, Becky, Chris, Owen, Jamie & all the children