Today, I came across an article in the local press about a couple who, having built what is termed as Britain's greenest house, may now have to tear it down after refusing to apply for planning permission (read the full article here).
For five years, Matthew Lepley and Jules Smith slept in tents whilst lovingly constructing their green home solely from recycled materials wood. Completely committed to the greenest of lifestyles, they used no power tools and built their one bedroom cabin completely by hand in a field they had purchased. Water comes from a bore hole and with no electricity, the cabin is lit by candles and paraffin lamps. Water is heated by a woodburner and the couple cook on a small bottled gas powered hob. They keep ducks, chickens and sheep, grow their own produce and have constructed a compost loo where waste is recycled.
As I read the article, I wanted to stand up and cheer for a couple who have really put their heart and soul into a green project that is clearly their dream lifestyle. Good on them, I thought.
According to the article I read, Matthew Lepley and Jules Smith say they did not apply for planning permission because they feel the planning process uses too much paperwork and energy and therefore, does not fit with their green principles.
Part of me agrees with this wholeheartedly; few people will dispute that obtaining planning permission is fraught with lengthy bureaucracy and needs a good overhaul and I admire anyone who stands up for their principles.
But part of me also said "really?". Does there come a point when sticking to your principles becomes a case of cutting off your nose to spite your face?
Mr Lepley and Ms Smith had planned to use their dwelling and the land on which it stands to run sustainable living workshops and retreats; if their appeal against their local council fails, they will have to tear down their house and presumably, all their plans will have to be shelved. What a shame that would be, not only for the couple who will see five years of hard work go down the drain but for all those who would have benefitted from being able to learn from their eco-vision.
Whilst I can appreciate their disdain for the planning process, would it really have been so bad to fill in the forms and ensure the future of their home and sustainable living project? I can understand them wanting to live off the grid. I can understand their sentiment. Yes, the planning process may be convoluted and in many cases, unsupportive of green housing initiatives but like taxes, death and seemingly, Michael Gove, it's there and not going to go away in a hurry. I'm just not sure what they will have achieved by refusing to get planning permission.
If they are forced to tear down their home will they have changed the planning process? The answer is regrettably, no, it will have made no difference at all to the bureaucrats and the only people who will have lost out are Mr Lepley and Ms Smith and all the people who would have been able to gain inspiration and new skills from visiting their eco-home.
Don't get me wrong. I think they have achieved an amazing thing in making their eco-dreams a reality. I hope that they win their appeal and are able to go ahead with their workshops and spread the green word far and wide. I would love to learn from them myself. But ..... I just wonder if there comes a point when a small compromise on your principles is worth the long term gain?
What do you think?
Annie x
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