The Tree Ark Project is a rural, regenerative, sustainable community living project, formed of a group of rural friends from across Norfolk, who share similar environmental concerns, who want to live in a totally self-sustainable manner as a 'show & tell' community.

Many of the group have proven need of the affordable housing which will be provided on site, but finding a Parish site has proven difficult for the group, as they are not from one single parish.

The Tree Ark Project is a NPD, and is not looking for prime development land, as they follow the guidelines of such proven ecological designs as shown by The Permaculture Organisation and Transition Towns.

Founded by Linda Beamish, a consultant for www.eco-designs.net, the community are hoping to arrange a Community Land Trust for the site, to ensure that the affordable eco-homes are kept for the community of the parish in perpetuity.

The plans for any site, will depend upon the size of the plot, and the needs of the existing community or Parish, although the main key proposals remain inherent for any site.

Affordable eco-homes.

• Homes will be constructed of earth/clay/straw-bale/timber/stone/lime (all natural building materials to any site), and will be constructed by the group themselves, along with teams of others who wish to learn natural building techniques. (The College of West Anglia Professional Construction team wish to be involved in such a project as an extension of their Sustainability curriculum, and other local natural building schools will be contacted once a site has been located.)

(An offer to film a documentary of the project has already been made by Jacki Hill-Murphy of Pink Ginger Films www.pinkgingerfilms.com )

A large site will aim to provide similar services as showcased by The communities of Findhorn in Scotland, C.A.T in Wales, The Lammas Project, The Hockerton Housing Project, and The Low Carbon Trust of Brighton - which also has an Earthship community centre.

The community will follow the guidelines of The Co-Housing Organisation and offer co-operative housing, which will be constructed by the community themselves, along with students and groups of volunteers and friends. Wherever the community is sited, it will interconnect with the needs of the parish, and ensure that their needs are consensually included, catered & cared for.

An ethical and environmental trade centre will be constructed to provide a cafe (selling organic, locally produced food, cooked freshly on site), internet will be available, and local arts & crafts will be sold.

Visitors to the site will be able to find out about why we need to live sustainably, and be able to find out about the alternative renewable resources which are currently available. (Fairly traded Franchises & co-operatives will also provide site revenue – as proven eco-designs will be available to buy “off the shelf” through Ark's Eco dedicated consultancies, net-profit-4-non-profits.)

For Further details please contact:

Linda Beamish

E-mail:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Websites:

www.eco-designs.net

www.globalarkprojects.com