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The project centres around the ecovillage at Tir y Gafel, in North Pembrokeshire, which has been designed using a model that can be replicated across Wales. It combines the traditional smallholding model with the latest innovations in environmental design, green technology and permaculture. The ecovillage was granted planning permission in 2009 by the Welsh Government and is currently part-way through the construction phase. At its heart it consists of 9 smallholdings positioned around a Community Hub building, and it is supported by a range of peripheral projects and networks.
Several mid-Devon councillors oppose the plan, however. On September 10th, Oliver Swann of NaturalHomes.org called one of those councillors for a chat about why she was against such a worthwhile project. She was councillor Heather Bainbridge, a Tory, but I don't think that's significant - I think he could have had similar conversations with Labour and LibDem councillors anywhere. She made unsupported claims about the viability of the soil, the topography and the possibility of flooding, before coming out with a classic line: "Nobody would subject themselves to that way of life. You might as well be in prison".