Living Villages 1 - Hereford Eco Housing
- 1. Jonathan Hines and Lars Carlsson Hereford Eco Villages Ltd.
- 2. Herefordshire…… 4 th lowest population density in England 80 people per sq km 30% live in Hereford, 20% in the five market towns 50% live in villages, hamlets and isolated dwellings
- 3. Herefordshire…… A special place to live Beautiful countryside and landscape Good quality of life Access to the outdoors Locally grown food Relatively inexpensive place to live Some large companies, but a real strength in small businesses – innovative and creative A positive entrepreneurial spirit
- 8. Herefordshire……but Dispersed population in villages and hamlets Cars required to access facilities, leads to traffic congestion in Hereford Young people leaving and not returning Many local people unable to afford housing Low unemployment, but low paid employment Our villages are ‘dying’ – village shops closing, schools under threat…
- 11. The global challenge We must reduce emissions or the planet will do it for us. Reductions in growth by storms, flooding, frosts and droughts…
- 12. The global challenge Industry in Europe suffers increasingly from competition from Asia Energy prices are already increasing year on year Prices will continue to rise due to increased demand in Asia and environmental pressures Global resources (water, food etc) are under threat UK can’t compete with cheap manufacturing Need to be focus on innovation & specialism leading to long term sustainability and resilience A huge opportunity for Herefordshire
- 13. There is no way back – we must look forward to new solutions
- 14. Environmental Reducing carbon emissions, saving energy, preserving resources.
- 15. Economic Creating a local economy which is balanced, sustainable and resilient
- 16. Social Creating balanced and sustainable communities with a mix of ages and good support facilities – the Big Society
- 18. Global The whole planet with its complex interdependence of ecosystems Environmental Economic Social
- 19. Local The site, its locality and context, its surrounding countryside and bio-region Environmental Economic Social
- 20. Building The internal environment of buildings and the external spaces created around them Environmental Economic Social
- 21. Building Local Global Environmental Economic Social Environmental Economic Social Environmental Economic Social
- 29. An opportunity for Herefordshire Investment in sustainable initiatives could lead to long term economic growth with increasing job availability and higher earnings We can develop our County and create good jobs and widespread wealth here Our villages could boom with local jobs, local shops and becoming central for their area Herefordshire’s economy could become more resilient and wealthy
- 30. Will it require millions? billions? No – just a little encouragement and the project will become self-sustaining and expand by itself....
- 31. Herefordshire – our plan To create sustainable houses: To build highly sustainable houses to the ’passivhaus’ – the highest energy standard in Europe This reduces energy consumption and energy costs by 80% To develop a new Herefordshire style ….. H ouses that are modern and contemporary but enhance and blend into the local rural village setting Houses that will last for hundreds of years
- 32. Herefordshire – our plan To work with communities: To create groups of new houses in or adjacent to existing villages To work in consultation with local communities To provide a balance of houses – affordable starter homes for young people, homes for growing families, and retirement homes suitable for older people To create shared facilities, areas for food growing and recreation, and live-work units To support the development of vibrant and dynamic communities
- 33. Herefordshire – our plan To develop modern manufacture: To develop a new factory in Herefordshire making fully prefabricated high quality houses To reduce costs and increase quality in factory conditions To work in partnership with local companies for supplying materials – doors, windows, kitchens, insulation etc To create skilled jobs, economic growth and export revenues by selling houses around the UK
- 35. Herefordshire – our plan Advantages to Herefordshire We will create long term, sustainable jobs New houses will be both cost efficient, environment friendly and attractive We will build Eco villages close to ailing small towns and villages losing their infrastructure. Such support by people and families will bring more customers to local businesses, services and infrastructure.
- 36. Herefordshire – our plan Advantages to Herefordshire We plan to invite local building companies to become partners in the efficient house production factory A majority of any profits will be invested in further developments, but part of the profit will be dedicated to education and training to enhance skills. Another part of the profit will be dedicated to ensuring affordable housing.
- 37. Herefordshire – our plan What do we need from Herefordshire? We need local communities and parish councils that want to see their villages thrive We will need to purchase suitable land land to build our Eco villages. We need political support for making this happen We DON’T need financial support – we can make this work That´s it – Give us this and Herefordshire will get:
- 38. Herefordshire – our plan What we will give to Herefordshire Efficient, attractive new homes – lower consumption Support for villages and towns by new potential customers and participants Reduced emissions - which otherwise will be forced upon us. Efficient House production factories – jobs and local improvement in wealth Local ownership of the factory Export capacity = a broad market
- 39. Herefordshire – our plan The First Step A thousand mile trip starts with a single step Our first step is to find an attractive plot of land – where the community would gain most from a green village – for production of sample houses That is all we need to get going
- 40. Financial Times on House building “ Britain needs 200,000 more houses per year than what is produced or planned” Housing Minister Grant Shapps “ House building is at its lowest since 1924. Radical reform is needed to give a boost to developers and kickstart building so we can get the homes this country needs.”
- 41. Herefordshire – the challenge Herefordshire does need and will get new housing Do you want to leave it to developers to provide standard housing …… ? …… or take the initiative and create well designed sustainable passivhaus houses that enhance and blend into their setting, and create Living Villages?
- 42. This is ALL we leave to our children
- 43. … together let’s create Living Villages Let’s make them proud of us…