It nearly wasn't though.
Because the process was going to use too much paperwork, time and bureaucratic expenditure they decided to try and build their dream house 'under the radar' and not apply for planning permission.
A risky business as neighbours are likely to dob people in for that sort of behaviour.
They used railway sleepers, truck tyres, scrap metal recycled this and that and wooden pallets to build their eco home away from it all in Beaworthy, a little village with a population of only a few hundred in East Devon.
And over a period of five years, while they lived in a tent on-site, they built their dream without using any power tools.
They have a composting toilet but no electricity and no running water. And they have an underground pantry instead of a fridge.
Sure enough, some neighbours complained as they do and for a while it looked like the Torridge District Council would force them to pull down their dream.
But some sort of rare sanity prevailed and a government planning inspector, impressed by the couple's dedication and passion for sustainable living, ruled the house could stay because of it's eco-credentials.
You see. If you can dream it, you can do it...
I think that house is beautiful, in its own way. I wouldn't mind it if it were my neighbor.
ReplyDeleteAhhh.....there is something to be said for "simple living".
ReplyDeleteJo
It's wonderful to hear of something like that......and they weren't told to pull it down!
ReplyDeleteIt's good to hear of happy endings especially after all that hard work. Too bad this "miracle" doesn't always happen despite the hard labour. Believe in miracles but don't build your life on it, so better to go the traditional route and get all the permits etc. It would have been sad to have to tear down such a beauty.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love it!! Growing up in the country in Alabama, there were people who lived in caves--& I mean, CAVES---that are huge. Indians had lived in many of them & had hewn the limestone into "tables" & niches for sleeping or sitting. I still visit them today as they are largely unchanged. Friendly Whites hid Indians from the Yankees when they were rounded up for the "Trail of Tears". My Great-great-great grandfather married a Creek & I am very proud of this.
ReplyDeleteThanks Keith for sharing this. My sweetie and I would like to do something similar and this helps. Hope all is well down under and you're in a good spot for winter. Email me if you're at Ureititi
ReplyDeleteUnknown, I would need to know who you were before emailing you...
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