About this home:

The flourishing woodland supports incredible biodiversity, permaculture food and biochar production and inspires stunning jewellery. Living completely off grid with solar power, rain water harvesting and log burners, they have minimal impact and costs. Their cabin is made from recycled materials, including half an old barn from a neighbour, totalling £5k. Adding to the charm are green turf roofs, a wood-fired outdoor bath and climbing holds as a fire escape. The other buildings are also made with recycled materials and support their land based businesses. In freeing themselves from the traditional housing costs, they can focus on creativity, craft, biodiversity enhancement and supporting people through volunteer/training placements.

Planning Insights:

24 months at planning

Once enforced upon, they applied for planning based off the Welsh One Planet Development Policy, they demonstrated multiple micro-businesses and sustainable practices to allow them to live in the woodland. The enforcement and planning hearing was emotionally exhausting, but with expert and community support, they eventually secured planning permission. Under Cornwall's AL1 policy, they have 5 years to prove their carbon sequestration, biodiversity gain, business success and self-sufficiency.