Welsh solar village
David Stephens, a consultant building scientist, has acquired 9 acres of land with permission to build 90 dwellings (for some 300 people) for the establishment of a solar village (to be called 'Tir Gaia' - 'land of Gaia') near Rhayader, 'a very nice stone-built town with a medium size shopping centre and a high proportion of English residents' in Mid-Wales.
'9 acres of land with permission to build 90 dwellings (for some 300 people) for the establishment of a solar village'
The site itself is on the sloping side of a hill, an unspoilt south-facing spot with a good view. The first four-bedroomed house is now built, and is, Stephens claims, the most advanced low-energy house in the world, 'calculated to save about 90% of heating fuel.' Crops are to be grown under a greenhouse on the roof and 2,000 water bottles sandwiched between the floors will store solar energy.
'Crops are to be grown on the roof'
Each single person unit in the village is likely to cost about L30,000 and will probably attract 'semi-retired' people. Stephens hopes there will also be a housing association for people who cannot afford to buy.
'I am trying to set it up as a model for the future,' says Stephens. High quality, durable, solar-heated housing will be built. 'The first phase will be four bedroomed houses which can divide into flats or bedsits. One unit could be enough for one or two persons; families could buy two or three adjacent units, and sell one or two when space requirements reduce as children leave home etc.
'Although the garden areas will not be large enough for self-sufficiency in food, the greenhouse roofs will help greatly, especially in producing high-value early crops.'
Stephens is very much a social inventor and proposes a number of possible opportunities for people to earn a living at Rhayader, including: setting up an Institute to foster the research and practice of Green ideas; coordinating further trials of the Eco Lavatory (featured below) in Third World countries and running a Green Pounds and Green Fund scheme.
Stephens describes these initiatives and the village in his magazine, Practical Alternatives, available for L1 from the address below. (Serious enquiries from potential residents only for further details of the village. 'The aim is to attract environmentally aware people with organisational skills.')
Inflation + 6% from investing in solar housing
The Solar Housing Society has been formed to issue loan stock to help fund this Tir Gaia village, and later to fund solar villages throughout Britain. As Stephens puts it:
'Stocks can be linked to the General Index of Retail Prices, ensuring that the capital retains its real value despite inflation, plus up to 6% interest'
'The Society pays good interest and repays stock as agreed. It does not grant loans. Stocks can be linked if you wish to the General Index of Retail Prices, ensuring that the capital retains its real value despite inflation, plus up to 6% interest. The Inland Revenue has advised the Society that the inflation component is free of tax. Only the interest of up to 6% is taxable.
'The Society provides high security. Your savings will be invested in durable solar houses which should be more valuable than ordinary houses as fuel prices rise.
'Building solar homes will create real and meaningful jobs in practical conservation.'
David Stephens, Tir Gaia Solar Village, Rhayader, Powys LD6 5AG (tel 0597 810 929). His booklet 'The Survivor House' is available from this address for L4-95 incl. p&p. The plans for the village won a Social Inventions Award
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