The site is an unused concrete water storage reservoir, (King George V Reservoir), set into the hillside, overlooking Totnes town. At present, it has permission for B8 business usage and we store some items in part of it for our permaculture activities. We also rent out storage and collect/sell) all sorts of items that can be repurposed for self-sufficiency and permaculture projects. It looks a bi
t like Steptoe's yard but everything is valuable to us! We are in the process of applying for residential status but this will not affect the 'permacultury' nature of the property, as residential and permaculture are perfect companions. We also act as a donation point for the Open Hearts, Open Borders refugee aid project. More info here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/openheartsopenborders/
The site is a 20-minute walk from Totnes High Street and has lovely 180-degree views over Dartmoor and the South-Hams. This is a zero-carbon permaculture project. The 'Code for Sustainable Homes and Businesses' favours projects of this type. We have landscaped the site and are beginning to grow food using permaculture as a model. We do not intend to add any permanent additions to the existing structure. It has been modified internally for secure storage space.
60 new homes are being built on the field approx 200 metres below us, (see maps album). That application was recommended for approval by the planning authority as they will benefit financially, However, it means that our project will become even closer to the town because a pedestrian short-cut will be included, avoiding the dangerous Plymouth Road for pedestrians. Some of the technologies we are using, and plan to put in place, include:
Solar PV:
We expect to generate more electricity than we use and the excess will be fed into the grid to benefit the local community. We also intend to have an electric vehicle which will be charged using this solar resource. Building:
Any internal work within the building to allow for more efficient heat and reduction of condensation is to be constructed in a zero-carbon methods. Water Reclamation:
We do not use mains water if at all possible. We employ a water collection and filtering system which should provide all our water needs for the entire property. Sewage: We prefer a composting or reed-bed system and a survey is required before we will know which one of these will be suitable. (There is already an existing septic tank and soakaway in use). Heating:
We are constructing our own MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery) system, similar to that used in the passivhaus model. See: http://www.passivhaus.org.uk/ ... from recycled products and materials. Hydro-Power:
South West Water have a large pressurised mains pipe running through the land. At present, it utilises a pressure-reducing valve for the town's supply. But this just wastes energy. So we are having discussions with SWW to create a joint Hydro-power project as a collaborative experiment and community showcase. We are deeply concerned about the environment and collect used products and materials that can be re-purposed. Some of these will be available for purchase and some will be used on site, for the business and to create demonstrations of such things as Rocket Mass Heaters (RMHs), MVHR (see above), planting and growing solutions, irrigation, water collection, mulching, w**d suppressing, etc.
