Rooted: Catalysing regenerative low impact development in Corrwall

Abstract

In the context of urgent socio-economic and environmental challenges in Cornwall, UK, the planning policy AL1 was introduced in 2023, aiming to promote socio-ecological resilience. It facilitates the transformation of agricultural holdings into residential land, with the condition that applicants demonstrate successful design and maintenance of Regenerative Low Impact Developments (RLIDs). These developments seek to support a local, self-sufficient, and environmentally conscious lifestyle, while also responding to the need for affordable housing and economic diversity. Despite AL1’s promising objectives, applicants face potential challenges in accessibility, including the policy’s stringent requirements, a lack of guidance and training in regenerative practices, as well as financial constraints and insufficient access to farmland. AL1 is largely based on its predecessor, the Welsh One Planet Development policy (OPD), introduced in 2010. Studies of the success of this policy suggest that AL1’s lack of accessibility could hinder the policy’s appeal beyond a narrow demographic of already climate-conscious and financially secure applicants. This research aims to tackle planning policy AL1’s potential shortcomings and support its effective implementation to foster socio-ecological resilience in Cornwall. The methodology combines a literature review to gather insights into the policy’s potential and limitations, with semi-structured expert interviews providing local perspectives on AL1’s strengths, barriers, and its role within the broader context of the region’s socio ecological resilience. In response to these findings, a practical guide is developed, aiming to support wider adoption of regenerative lifestyles in Cornwall and enhance policy AL1’s successful implementation. This guide is then applied to a specific agricultural site and tested by creating an RLID concept design. While context-specific, the findings of this research hold broader implications for similar challenges worldwide, aiming to inspire positive change and promote the widespread adoption of RLIDs beyond Cornwall.