A group of "eco small holders" has persuaded a planning inspector to set aside greenfield protection policies in Pembrokeshire and approve their new settlement, prompting warnings it sets a dangerous precedent and will cause such developments to proliferate.
Lammas Low Impact Initiatives persuaded the inspector to approve its plans for an "eco village" on 31ha of greenfield land near Glandwr in north Pembrokeshire despite the opposition of Pembrokeshire Council and local people.
He approved plans for nine dwellings and community buildings on the farmland and woodland.
But Council leader John Davies expressed deep disappointment and said he was unconvinced about its economic and social sustainability. It would set a dangerous precedent.
"Giving the green light to this application will encourage a proliferation of similar applications across Pembrokeshire," he said.
"It is very difficult to explain to local people, gainfully employed, that they are not allowed to build a single house in their native area, while in this instance a whole village is allowed to be built in the middle of a field."
But the inspector contended the development could be said to comply with UDP policy on countryside protection because it allows an exception for low impact development making a positive contribution.
He said that although the development is in a countryside area and lacks proper transport access, the developers' plans to be self-sufficient in terms of water, electricity, sewage treatment and fuel would lower its impact.
Buildings would be made of natural locally sourced materials and would therefore have minimal foundations and infrastructure. Sedum roofs would blend into the scenery.
"The project is unusual in that on the one hand it takes a green approach to all aspects of living and on the other hand is structured very much like a conventional village," said the project's founder Paul Wimbush.
