Tucked away in a valley in south-west Wales, lies Tony Wrenches round house, Built 10 years ago using wood from his own forest with cob walls and a grass roof, its a real gem and along with his book on the construction techniques a lovely example for anyone planning to self-build a sustainable home.
Unfortunately it didn’t have planning permission and he has been in a continuous struggle with the authorities, facing the threat of demolition.
Britain has the lowest proportion of self-built homes in the EU - less than 10% compared with upwards of 40% on the continent. Its planning system makes virtually no provision for cheap, low-carbon homes like Tony’s, which almost completely blend into the countryside.
Fortunately he recently got retrospective approval for his home, via an unusual planning policy experiment in Pembrokeshire. County council and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners agreed to allow for low-impact developments on rural land where normal houses would not be considered, as long as they met stringent environmental, economic and social criteria.
Is this for good of just another stay of execution. Check out his site for the latest information.