Jonathan Hines and Lars CarlssonHereford Eco Villages Ltd.

Herefordshire……4th lowest population density in England80 people per sq km30% live in Hereford, 20% in the five market

towns50% live in villages, hamlets and isolated

dwellings

Herefordshire……A special place to liveBeautiful countryside and landscapeGood quality of lifeAccess to the outdoorsLocally grown foodRelatively inexpensive place to liveSome large companies, but a real strength in

small businesses – innovative and creativeA positive entrepreneurial spirit

Herefordshire……butDispersed population in villages and hamletsCars required to access facilities, leads to

traffic congestion in HerefordYoung people leaving and not returningMany local people unable to afford housingLow unemployment, but low paid

employmentOur villages are ‘dying’ – village shops

closing, schools under threat…

The global challengeWe must reduce emissions or the planet will

do it for us. Reductions in growth by storms, flooding, frosts and droughts…

The global challengeIndustry in Europe suffers increasingly from

competition from AsiaEnergy prices are already increasing year on yearPrices will continue to rise due to increased

demand in Asia and environmental pressuresGlobal resources (water, food etc) are under

threatUK can’t compete with cheap manufacturingNeed to be focus on innovation & specialism

leading to long term sustainability and resilienceA huge opportunity for Herefordshire

There is no way back – we must look forward to new solutions

Environmental

Reducing carbon emissions, saving energy, preserving resources.

Economic

Creating a local economy which is balanced, sustainable and resilient

Social

Creating balanced and sustainable communities with a mix of ages and good support facilities – the Big Society

Environmental

Economic

Social

Global

The whole planet with its complex interdependence of ecosystems

Environmental

Economic

Social

Local

The site, its locality and context, its surrounding countryside and bio-region

Environmental

Economic

Social

Building

The internal environment of buildings and the external spaces created around them

Environmental

Economic

Social

BuildingLocal

GlobalEnvironmental

Economic

Social

Environmental

Economic

Social

Envi

ronm

enta

l

Econ

omic

Soci

al

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

Will it require millions? billions?

No – just a little encouragement and the project will become self-sustaining and expand by itself....

Herefordshire – our planTo 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…..Houses that are modern and contemporary but

enhance and blend into the local rural village setting

Houses that will last for hundreds of years

Herefordshire – our planTo work with communities:To create groups of new houses in or adjacent

to existing villagesTo work in consultation with local communitiesTo 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

Herefordshire – our planTo develop modern manufacture:To develop a new factory in Herefordshire

making fully prefabricated high quality housesTo reduce costs and increase quality in

factory conditionsTo 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

The Passivhaus standard

Herefordshire – our planAdvantages to Herefordshire

We will create long term, sustainable jobsNew houses will be both cost efficient,

environment friendly and attractiveWe 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.

Herefordshire – our planAdvantages 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.

Herefordshire – our planWhat do we need from Herefordshire?We need local communities and parish councils

that want to see their villages thriveWe will need to purchase suitable land land to

build our Eco villages. We need political support for making this happenWe DON’T need financial support –we can make

this workThat´s it – Give us this and Herefordshire will

get:

Herefordshire – our planWhat we will give to HerefordshireEfficient, attractive new homes – lower

consumptionSupport for villages and towns by new

potential customers and participantsReduced emissions - which otherwise will be

forced upon us.Efficient House production factories – jobs

and local improvement in wealthLocal ownership of the factoryExport capacity = a broad market

Herefordshire – our planThe First Step A thousand mile trip starts with a single stepOur 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

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.”

Herefordshire – the challengeHerefordshire 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?

This is ALL we leave to our children

…together let’s create Living Villages

Let’s make them proud of us…