Arundel Forest Garden was started in 2009 and by 2012 a small camp had grown up there to look after the volunteers that came to learn about forest gardening at the Permaculture courses and volunteer days. The camp grew over 7 years but was closed in 2017 and the forest garden is now very overgrown. The deep compost spread out to the 130+ edible/functional trees and shrubs that were established there by the volunteers are thriving dispite being under a lot of pressure from the brambles that are very out of balance with the rest of the rare and unique genetics that it is out competing there.
This page presents a summary of a financial model in section one that projects Green Campus Ltd. (Directed by Charles Fraser) deploying and operating a beautiful temporary wooden and glass architecture to serve as a single £400-£500 a night accomodation unit with a detailed construction and operation plan in section two. The presented design is being developed with architect Kristoffer Tejlgaard and his studio www.atelierkristoffertejlgaard.com who have many years of experience designing these unique geometries using their ecological panelised methodology.
The design proposes to be built with master craftsmen and luxury cabin carpenters outofthevalley.co.uk who have experience building the finest cabins made in the UK.
The structure proposes to be made up of a main room with split link bed that can serve in a double or twin configuration and up to four camp beds for additional friends or children. We propose a small bubble to one end that houses the basics of ablutions that is fed by agricultural piping on site , electrical heating and waste into a small septic tank we dig into the ground.
We also propose another slightly larger space on the other side of the main droplet that contains the kitchen, dining and utilities necesarry for a family to be self sufficient there and housekeeping to be able to perform their needed tasks onsite. All power is provided by the local wind farms through eco-tricity. All of this is explored in more detail in the construction and operation plan in section 2.
The financial model proposes a ground rent to the Norfolk Estate of £750 and an annual investment of %20 of profits or £15k into ecosystem restoration into the site and wider estate thus the project serves as an ecologically regenerative asset. The rates and percentages can be altered in the complete financial model that is available here
The following financial model looks at renting the site from Duke Edward / The Norfolk Estate for a sum of £750 per month over 6 years. This rate is to be negotiated and is a a starting point for the model to see what is affordable. The following model supposes that the construction phase would have a window of three months but it would only take a team about a week to establish a unit that can begin trading. There is the assumption of two housekeepers hired to reset the structure after each booking and one gardener in the first year spending four days a month to maintain the paths and control overgrowth. There is also £15k a year set aside as Capital Expenditure to invest in the maintainance and upkeep of the site according to an ecosystem restoration plan developed with our partners EcosystemRestorationCamps.org and other stakeholders.
Construction should take about two - four weeks consisting of:
The model has the following assumptions:
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The site has already had a similar camp operating for about 6 years without complaint that sets a precident. We would apply for planning based on this previous use need to operate for a year and a half to break even. If we had to we could dismount everything and put it into a trailer to set up somewhere else in a day leaving only the mains power and agricultural water pipes in the ground (removing the septic tank too).
We are looking at various incredible locations for where to set up the next Green Camps. The following site pages have some basic info and feasability study pertinant to that site.
Green Campus Grew out of Arundel Forest Garden, it was the home of the first camp. It is now very overgrown and this is an application to Duke Edward and The Norfolk Estate to establish a self contained unit there, the rent from which will manage the land and earn a handsom sum for the estate.
A hidden glamping gem set in 7 acres and surrounded by stunning Dorset countryside.Bloomfield was purchased by the owners approximately five years ago and has since been run as a thriving family business, with an enviable occupation rate with around a 70% rate of returning business. Approached via Common Drove, the site comprises just over 7 acres, within which five yurts and a safari tent are strategically placed to give privacy and seclusion within the land. At the entrance of the site is a gravel parking area where guests leave their cars and check-in at the reception hut and honesty shop, which stocks essential items and local gifts.
Agricultural land for sale through local agents belonging to a local farmer, Piero. A planning application with the local authorities is necessary. Extensive planning laws are explored on the page. Presently the idea would be to establish a fresh water pool and then see if we can do canvas domes after the planning laws change. Ongoing work with the local sales agent Christine and her planning experts Silvia and Antonio (see detailed info below) reveal that current planning laws do not allow for development but future planning laws coming into effect next year are very favorable. My own research reveals various opportunties too that need to be reviewed with the Architect Kristoffer.
A beautiful site where we are exploring the joint deliver of a Green Camp with the custodians of the site. They have just won the property and any plans would have to wait two years for aproval by the local council.The project was started by a group of young professionals, Matthew & Chiara as the sole signatories, were looking for a place outside of the main cities to go back into contact with the environment and live sustainably and publicise this idea to others. They found the land through a regional program and made a project application and won (from many applicants) the land for 9 years with the option to renew for a further 9 at the end of each term if they wish. They have just started the project four months ago and we are building up connections with people around the site and starting to clear the land of invasive species and fix the place up generally.
Rubino beach is part of a 47 Hectare estate owned by Mr Antonio Rubino and his wife and comprises two parts. The part of particular interest is the only part I managed to scan on the day: three areas of land above their own private beaches. There is another part that is on a much more littered beach that has beach houses, a restarant and parking where Mr. Rubino showed us the surrounding fields that might be suitable for development.
This beautiful estate is owned by Gregorio and Agynes Di Lione who inherited it from their father who sadly passed away quite suddely last year. The property overlooks the Northern Coastline of Sicily about 40km to the East from Palermo and 15km away from the highly saught after tourist and holiday town of Cefalu (see the pictures below).
Two acres of fields owned by John Henry Pounds on the Western Gate of Siena
Our draft plans revolve around creating an accomodation space at the aft of Animo, a classroom space (for yoga, meditation etc), workshop and mezanine work floor for some hot desks. Kristoffer's construction panel system would provide additional bubbles of space and light. The issue is finding a mooring for her in central London.