The Community Living Off Grid In Wales

Want to save the planet? Move to Wales and build and eco home under Wales' green law, One Planet Planning.
Subscribe: www.bit.ly/3L0...
Watch more videos: www.bit.ly/3FP...
Visit our site: www.context.news/
-
We make short documentaries, explainers and original series for people who care about the world’s biggest challenges. Context is anchored around three of the most significant and interdependent issues of our time: climate change, the impact of technology on society and inclusive economies. We contextualize how critical issues and events affect ordinary people, society and the environment.
Context is a media platform brought to you by the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the corporate foundation of Thomson Reuters, the global news and information services company. Through journalism, media development, free legal assistance, and convening initiatives, we combine our unique services to drive systemic change.

[@gallopingg1]

WOULD BE GREAT IF THIS WAS ALLOWED RIGHT ACROSS UK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@felixcoconuts]

I don't agree with the extremities of this policy. It has been demonstrated that permaculture is more successful as part of a medium-sized community. Instead of relying on ALL of your sustenance from your land, you feed into a local community with purchases and produce. I think the policy seems too limiting and uninformed about the benefits of growing food and local engagement. The policy is focused on climate only and will, therefore, shape the nature of the community and not the other way round. The policy should 'plug-in' to local communities and not restrict that potential.

[@ollielife1]

yes!!!!!

[@Llkolii]

@Immortal if your still interested I want to start/find a community to go off grid with

[@clovermark39]

There didn’t sound many welsh people either so not helping the locals.

[@caz6152]

@@Llkolii I'm in to that idea

[@natalie_kendel]

This was surprisingly balanced and insightful. It wasn't promoting merely a group of extremists who live on nothing, but trying to look at how rural life is possible, feasible, and can be a thriving community.

[@lizstevenson7801]

Very interesting. I wish everyone would go 'back to basics' like this and save Mother Earth.

[@ConstantThrowing]

Shipping. I wish people would mention the impact of shipping. HUGE amounts of diesel used every hour by these cargo ships. As much as a large city. So this is localising that in part aswell. Providing an alternative hopefully.

[@indigowarrior8]

Wales is cold and rainy most of the time, shame the rest of the UK can't do this and get rid of all the intensive animal farming. Permaculture and food forests are the way forward.

[@w3w3w3]

@tobes jojo O.O do you do this then??

[@willlawrence8756]

@tobes jojo WELL SAID...TAKE NO NOTICE OF SUCH NEGATIVE COMMENTS

[@carlgreene538]

Most of the UK is cold and rainy most of the time.

[@TerryTerryTerry]

Nice way of living but the basic requirement is having the money to do it - coming from a wealthy background and having small scale capitalist business aspirations is a requirement it seems. The need to generate income is at the forefront, therefore requires the good will and buying power of the general population who cannot afford to do it.

[@Isochest]

Have you ever read Henry George's book Progress and Poverty. No mainstreamer ever mentions his name.

[@arghjayem]

But as eco friendly as all these developments seem, as the video states there has only been 32 of them so far. And as they’re limited to households, that is literally just what would have been 32 “normal” households now being 32 eco houses that use their land as a business. So if all 32 of them are producing apple juice and honey that’s a lot of local “craft” apple juice businesses competing for the same local market share. It would actually be far better for the environment to relax local planning laws for individuals building houses and encourage them to construct in eco friendly ways with tax breaks AND then enforce higher environmental and eco standards on the property developers who are quite happy to skimp on insulation in their housing developments if it means a few extra quids profit. Rather than forcing people to earn money from a small holding in order to justify constructing an “eco home”. Why can’t you make it easier to build an eco home and still do a typical job? Like I said there are only so many locally made varieties of apple juice or honey that even the most capitalist market can tolerate. It’s this weird obsession with the extremes. Seemingly all or nothing, you’re either totally off grid or you’re just like everyone else. The shades of grey are important and are easier for a larger majority to achieve. It’d be great if everyone was off grid but that’s just not gonna happen and the government (local or national) would never let that happen no matter how beneficial for the environment it might be,

[@Isochest]

@@arghjayem Central Control is what it's all about. Town and Country Planning Act 1947 ushered in the Brave New World of conformity and compliance. No Monopolist would permit the rational policies you describe.

[@clovermark39]

The big companies don’t want you to succeed which is probably why they put so many requirements on it.

[@cristinaherreragonzalez398]

If I'm not wrong, the Distributists of the early 20th century called for similar reforms with the aim of nurturing stable, human-sized communities that would run on the power of small enterprise. They called this "the restoration of peasantry", to the dismay of those unfamiliar with the Distributist understanding of the term. E.F. Schumacher was quite influenced by them, I think.

[@annepower3313]

Exactly! Planning permission is a huge issue. This video should be broadcast on prime time Tv news.

[@davidjacksonjackson3212]

Well done to these people for giving it a try, in modern living it is the mortgage/rent trap that keeps people shackled to the office desk with the long hours away from the family

[@annepower3313]

I notice how none of them sound Welsh prob cause they've had to move there from England where it is impossible to do what theyseem to be able to do in Wales. 🤔 Everything the lady with the dreadlocks said is exactly what's happening to me. Stuck in a society that wants me to consume until I die.

[@mrcage8722]

Great idea but you still need a small fortune to get started.... Livestock, Building materials etc don't come cheap!

[@w3w3w3]

@Immortal lol i think he was tlaking about if you split that wolrd by everyone in the population everyone would have 1.88hec each lol

[@w3w3w3]

What you mean livestock? You dont have to surely? You just need zero emissions, and able to life of the land and sustain yourself?

[@w3w3w3]

@tobes jojo yea i just seen ... im sure you still have to buy the land lol... makes no sense tbh. Easier to buy land anywhere else and just build a huge base/house with shipping containers lol and no planning permersion :facepalm: haha

[@w3w3w3]

@tobes jojo Yea that is what i said looool. Can build great iwth containers... I would dig deep and build 3 floors underground and 3 floors above. Then make it blend in to woodland/area etc. Electric fence around land, etc, etc... can only dream though loooooooool.

[@stuartlyons5383]

excellent well thought out and delivered cheers for that

[@nautilus1872]

Number 14. on the prerequisite list, not one Welsh person or mention of culture. Encouragement of the use of Welsh language and culture.

[@aaronellis6870]

nautilus 1 to be fair it looks like midd wales , unfortunately most parts of midd wales the welsh language has died , its a different story in the north ,

[@clv101]

The lady with the hempcrete house and sheep is Welsh, speaks Welsh.

[@countcliff6079]

And there are no welsh living anywhere else in the world ? Get a life mate.

[@nautilus1872]

@@countcliff6079 I am only mentioning the Welsh as the policy is written with the Welsh in mind, to encourage the Welsh way of life, it's not an anti other nationality comment it's more of a fault of compliance of policy, number 14 on the list. To answer your question, yes there are thousands of Welsh all over the world, making lives for themselves, quite a few have left as there are no affordable homes left in their villages.

[@ruongluesteve]

@@nautilus1872 If their kids go to local primary schools then they will be taught in Welsh.

[@mfr58]

Great project. However, you may be disappointed about the supposed 3.4 degree rise in temperature. This number is based on fictitious models. We are, in fact, just about to enter a global cooling period, so we need to adapt to colder conditions instead... If you have enough money getting planning permission to build what you like is easy and you can waste as much energy and produce as much C02 as you like, but if you are poor, look at all the hoops you have to jump through to live on the land as humbly as a church mouse......

[@howardbills1450]

Good luck to them all. As an oldie off grid boat dweller I'm for any way of life that has a low impact on the environment. When my kids were growing up and holidays took us around the country, Wales, Cornwall ot always made me smile when I heard 'locals' complaining they couldn't afford property prices because of the influx of 'newcomers' pushing up the price of local property. The truth is the locals sold it in the first place, end of. As to posh kids 'just mucking about' at least they are trying and not just part of the seemingly endless contra-whine. Good luck to all those who try....

[@disgusted4708]

Local people cant afford to live near their job? How are they local? Bring life to rural areas..you mean make them less rural?

[@jockd7]

It was called small holdings...but in west Lothian virtually all small holdings have been sold for housing development..

[@boptah7489]

people need to get back to the land for many good reasons. the AGW scam is not one of them.

[@irish-medi-weed-grower5240]

give us a clue . how much for the hempcrete house ?

[@johnsherry3826]

Can you still do this and keep your job or just work partime,or do you have to give everything up and just try to make a profit from selling excess produce you grow or produce.?

[@w3w3w3]

hahahaha that was what i was thinking although not a "job" but like make money online and stuff whilst living offgrid sounds great to me lel

[@anthonysiebenthaler682]

When everybody lives like that, the solar panels and galvanised nails, copper wire and a metalled road in the valley all disappear, forever. Same goes for the internet.

[@poisonempress]

this seems more good on paper than in practice...

[@jewelcitizen2567]

07:10 *_”There’s no reason why Wales couldn’t support several tens of thousands of small holdings in the open countryside.”_* Says a guy who clearly isn’t Welsh and neither are any of the Guardianista rainbow collective featured either. Take your “zero carbon” solar panels and *GTFO*

[@MsChaman]

Very motivating and interesting

[@hrxy1]

Sounds like a bunch of middle class university educated wankers with plenty of money from mammy and daddy to launch them into fannying about playing at farming. 10 yrs later they end up with stocks and shares in guns and bombs. Saw it all in the 70s

[@EnvelopeOfficial]

Hi, I'm really interested to get more info and learn how I could make something similar. is it possible to get an email and speak with these people? Cheers!

[@Context_news]

I would look up the One Planet Council www.oneplanetcouncil.org.uk which is run by some of the people who have gone through the process and who exist to help others do the same. I hope that helps!

[@TashHag108]

Hi EU ;) same, been trying for over 2 years with capital decreasing. Wanting to join with people, co buy, buy in, or start new. Still looking. Are you?

[@EnvelopeOfficial]

@@hwharwood where do you live?

[@satka2mau487]

one planet council and also contact Tao windbush @Lammas hes a consultant having had the vision for the land for lammas....Great guy to speak to...I volunteered for them 10yrs ago when in set up phase..

[@EnvelopeOfficial]

@@TashHag108 hi, yeah still looking, but I have no money so I'd like to find a way to get there for free, building on community strength and knowledge, perhaps playing a much longer game, but working as much outside of the prescriptions of the system as possible. Whereabouts are you? I'm in Bristol

[@ucraicmeupmurphy598]

I would love to know if Solar Panel is enough in a rainy country such as Ireland all year round? Or if anyone has info which solar panel system is most effective and efficient. It would only be for one person living alone, but I would love to be able to have a fridge and enough energy for my needs. Also info on Rain Water harvest would be great, link or website much appreciated. Thank you!! Great video.

[@mistranslatedshakespeare3324]

Go to the One Planet Council website and look at some of the approved projects. Many make heavy use of solar energy even in North and West Wales, where it rains a fair bit. They should give you some idea how to make a system work.

[@leahsharna1]

Solar panels rely on daylight not sunlight

[@maxpower9340]

Where about in Wales as I know they have this system or similar in Pembrokeshire but not as far as I know in Ceredigion. Can anyone comment on this? Thanks

[@John-rg6kt]

Yours are loaded!!

[@PhyllisGlassup2TheBrim]

Sadly it isn't as easy as it seems. Pembrokeshire planning dept for example is against the policy and either refuses permission or drags its feet for months on a decision.

[@PhyllisGlassup2TheBrim]

@Mr Big no chance. I don't have a spare £60,000 to waste and I have animals to consider when I buy the land and then get told I can't do anything with it. I've done my research, seen what the Pembrokeshire MP has said about how he doesn't agree with OPD, read reports and seen people who have been turned down, seen their application mismanaged ect. It might be worth risking everything if you have nothing but your money to lose, but for most people, it's too risky in Pembrokeshire with a backwards looking planning department.

[@paulmaryon9088]

Yep Dorset the same

[@kagarutonation]

Fire the sound designer , idk what was going through his head.

[@hawkins7331]

all that living free comes at a high price ! ££££

[@countcliff6079]

@Big Edgy Boi it's okay they are champagne socialists living off their mumsy and dadsy's money whilst denouncing capitalism.

[@leahsharna1]

Building an earthome costs between £1000-15000

[@paulwarren6105]

I Need half an acre or so for a pole barn build and polly tunnel veg grow.. cash buyer if anyone has anything spare..

[@analiensaturn]

Its not climate change its weather modification. Watch Dimming.

[@TheWarsuron]

introducing plants from all over the world is not a good idea. she has no idea what effect that could have on the ecology.

[@lordplanet8413]

I would like to know on how to apply for the one planet development policy.

[@aabc84]

Where in wales is this community I want to visit them

[@hayerubihayerubi5720]

Definitely a step in the right direction. The learning curve could help future generation establish sustainable living and biodiversity as a more efficient lifestyle I think all involved a really brave

[@carlgreene538]

Where in Wales is this?

[@nautilus1872]

Shame it's not the Welsh involved in this, all from south of England.

[@ollielife1]

exactly.

[@jakempenney]

Get in on it then if you're that bothered.

[@nautilus1872]

@@jakempenney Hi, I am kind of involved in a strange way, I guess I would rather them take the requirements out than falsely try and qualify to the requirement. And also Lucky enough to have renovated a cottage when it was within a working mans financial ability. Hey, if they work hard and it improves the area then great.

[@sarahbennett9820]

Not necessarily. Many privately schooled people have received pronunciation. Doesn't mean they are from the south.

[@nautilus1872]

@@sarahbennett9820 Equally, does not mean they where privately schooled .

[@richardbaker8928]

Heard similar diatribes from English weekenders back in the 60s

[@marcosrissi]

Hello. Thanks for the info. I want to explore community living off-grid or not, in the UK. I am looking to live more sustainably, closer to nature and with like-minded people. Any links, phone numbers for contacts, websites, general hints... all is welcome. Thanks. Marcos.

[@mistranslatedshakespeare3324]

Take a look at this Facebook group. We're still looking for more potential residents. facebook.com/groups/414714552701525

[@creektilghman9187]

If you want to do it yourself, it's best with Avasva projects.

[@bareminimumbrother3980]

Having less or no children will save the planet.

[@Andreaworthington2023]

I'd love to do this but no way of deshackling myself from the restraints of living or having the capital or ability to ensure the kids won't go without basics but very interested in the Welsh legislation

[@PhyllisGlassup2TheBrim]

it depends what you regard as 'basics' I suppose. I already live a far from 'normal' lifestyle. I wouldn't regard processed food, 'things', new clothes, the latest phones or even central heating as 'basics', yet seemingly most people do. Basics to me are food, water, shelter and the means to survive. wifi and electricity are bonuses.

[@Andreaworthington2023]

Grey Witch would appear we have the same understanding of basics I would want for my family shelter food water heat ... My family don't do 'things' or new clothes or processed lifestyle

[@PhyllisGlassup2TheBrim]

@@Andreaworthington2023 why then do you say that you can't do it? You *could* if it was important enough to you.

[@Andreaworthington2023]

Grey Witch because I still have commitments for my family Eductaion provisions ect to untangle currentl obligations

[@PhyllisGlassup2TheBrim]

@@Andreaworthington2023 I imagine there are schools in Wales.......

[@PapaTube-ep1nk]

Tens of thousands destroying pristine countryside with mud huts surely not.

[@liesmies6280]

alright, i'll come up to produce some cheeses (cows and goats) and then we can make a fairly exchange wine and honey for cheese, what u say? ^^)

[@stanleyj.mitchell4851]

And they have a gas cooker. Hmmm…………….

[@frankyboy431]

Erm this is in Wales. None of the people in this video appear to be Welsh. How is this helping local Welsh people?

[@FromTheFens219]

Never read the comments

[@sullivanmichael76]

Interesting, but had to stop watching because of the irritating music

[@oldmanonamission8055]

yeah, let us all move into the countryside, cut the trees down, and build a home. It's no more a countryside then is it 🤷‍♂️ Everyone has a wood burner therefore more wood is being burnt and more trees cut down. There are 67 million people in the UK. If half of them cut 30 trees down to build a home and two trees a year for heating and cooking.

[@paulwarren9854]

Is there a quarter acre spare for a larger carpentry workshop build and space to site a couple of poly tunnels. Online only search has been no use the last three years. One Planet Development / access to land: OPD smallholder and self-builder. I have 30-60k tiny homes to construct to build funds for rebuilding derelict old stone shells i want to do. Thanks.

[@marca5883]

sign me up!

[@tanja8907]

Very middle class, looks like you need some wedge to get your foot in?

[@chingchingbolt8486]

Can I come and stay?🥰

[@saticharlie]

Love theses projects, but why do they always have to justify by implying it is a solution to climate change. There is so much more ecological problems that a more sustainable lifestyle could solve. Climate change propaganda is driving an increase in the cost of energy and produces more bureaucracy, and government control. They implement costly products in building so it produces a need for big engineering and costly debts. It is the contrary than the autarky valued here. When they all will live with their project, they will probably see the benefit for themselves and no longer because «climate change». It is the same with the big cites, instead of make people feeling guilty about CO2, ask people how to improve their life with better transport system, for their own benefit, not some abstract CO2 imbalance.

[@janhemmer8181]

Couldn't agree more. It is a pity that people always need some kind of fairy tale to feel united in their efforts. But just like the second coming of Christ, the CO2 armageddon will not happen and once more people will be disappointed in their religion in the future.

[@chrisc3197]

Playing games middle class lefties vegan no dout as well

[@leahsharna1]

Does people caring about the enviorment bother you

[@lemfarba4827]

Are these people actually Welsh or are they outsiders imposing themselves on the Welsh?

[@therespectedlex9794]

That’s a good one boyo!

[@ellisdewal]

Lot of threes died for those houses. Why do we need so much space. Love forest gardens. Local, why cann´t we be humble and eat what is around us. What if climat change because of co2, N turns out to be not true, are we going to keep on trying to live in more harmonie, in a (far) less parasitic relationship with what lives around us?

[@lazycarper7925]

spoilt rich kids using planning laws to build big eco homes

[@freebornjohn6876]

Do you vote UKIP too? Bit of a Trumptard? Climate change denier? Just a sad little person who needs to get a life?

[@felixcoconuts]

@Christopheaus Ruff It could also be the proportion of educated kids from middle-class backgrounds (of which UK has had more within the last 50 years). The opportunity for more education among rising families has allowed the ongoing development of models of economics. I suppose middle-class kids have more opportunities and perhaps have seen the limits of the current economic model (which they are from) and want to do something. The question is are the things we keep deciding our actions on really empirical truths or fad?

[@ollielife1]

while the rest of us cant afford to! Didnt see any Welsh people in the video! @freeborn John - what is wrong with you? have you no idea how much money it costs to achieve this? 99% of people cannot do this, especially not Local welsh!

[@leahsharna1]

@@ollielife1 then you have no idea how cheap it is to build an earthome

[@lazycarper7925]

@@leahsharna1 the timber alone in this video on the spoilt girls house was already atleast 20,000k