My general points I stand by but:
Quote:
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However supporters insist that the building, which is next to the Lammas eco village, is created from the resources on the land and fulfils the Welsh Government's One Planet development policy which they claim gives the go ahead to building homes in open countryside in
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That's quite a compelling argument. Having now read the article properly (;P) I am less critical of the couple. I hadn't realised it was right up against an eco village. I still think they should have tried for permission in advance. Given it is next to the eco village, and given the distinct regulation for Wales, then they probably would have got permission. And as I understand it, it is in the appeals process now. Which means they may well end up being allowed to keep it.
[eta] I am equally annoyed by 'nimbyism' too. If you think your area is special, organise as residents and apply for protected status. if you can make a case for it and it gets through, good on ya. And if the patch of land that stretches out behind your garden and onto the next block is home to rare wildlife or protected species, then it needs protecting. But the fact that three new houses will spoil the view from your living room is not material to planning consent. Nor is the fact that you consider your area to be just right as it is a reason to stop new homes being built. It can't all be shunted onto the poorer, built up areas of town.
I live in a tiny village which is slowly joining up with surrounding connurbations. I have no problem with that. Some parts of it, where the older buildings are, or at the edge on one side where it leads into farmland, are protected. The rest isn't, there's just a general assumption that building materials will be in keeping with the area. Many of my neighbours object to each new spurt of housing. They want it all to stay as it is. It can't. We need houses. Other people should be able to come and live here. There is a balance to be struck between protecting our heritage and environment and facilitating development and innovation.