ACORN VILLAGE, CRICKHOWELL

DEVELOPER
Televillages Ltd, now owned by Stapleford Estates

LOCATION
Acorn Village, Crickhowell, Brecon Beacons National Park

SCALE
39 units varying in size from 450-2000 sq ft

STAGE
Completed in 2000

DIVISION OF LIVE/WORK SPACE
O­n average, 20 per cent of the space is dedicated to work use. All homes have work attics with bulk of workspace is in a separate courtyard

GETTING PLANNING CONSENT
Scheme won planning approval despite location in a national park - environmental sustainability arguments were key to success in gaining permission o­n a site that would not normally have won planning permission

FUNDING
70 per cent of the development was funded by venture capital bank Triodos with remainder raised from supporters. No public funding or assistance

TARGET MARKET
'People who are committed to a more sustainable living and that would enjoy a better quality of life and change the world by example,' says Ashley Dobbs, the scheme's founder

NETWORKING/CLUSTERING?
Informal

VIABILITY
Strong demand for units that have recently been brought to market
Four so far resold out of 39

TENURE
Mixed tenure to include sale

EMPLOYMENT IMPACT
Approximately o­ne to two jobs per work unit in each of the 35 units that have dedicated work space. All workspace continues to be used as workspace. Dedicated workspace within the houses is used by a variety of small businesses including an internet programmer, sales administration business, ceramic artist, photographer, eco-tourism company, scientific research company, music and dance teachers and a record producer.

DEFINING FEATURES
Scheme has subsequently been awarded an RTPI award.

CONTACT
Acorn Televillages managing director Ashley Dobbs (01503) 272 830