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The South American alpaca is an sheep like animal with a prized fleece, which makes each animal both expensive and exotic, and so needing close management. It makes the alpaca a useful Trojan Horse for farmers wanting to gain planning permission for a temporary agricultural dwelling such as a log cabin which is close to where they are grazing. This is the technique which has been used by Marc Willis who is the agent for Golden Valley Paddocks, who told the Times journo Simon de Bruxelles that he has used the technique to get permission for more than 35 farmhouses. Alpacas are ideal because they look cute, are rare and exotic, and planners know nothing about them. Try the same with dairy cows or a flock of sheep and the results are likely to be negative.

Wednesday, 7 July 2010

Lloyd's Woolley to Weston cycle ride

On Sunday 18th July 2010, I will be cycling 80 miles (130km) from Woolley Valley (near my home in Bath) to Weston-super-mare to help raise awareness for the Save Woolley Valley campaign. This campaign is trying to stop unauthorised development in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There has been national media coverage of our campaign including articles in The Times, The Daily Mail, The Guardian, BBC - to name a few.

Some of the high profile support includes Peter Gabriel (former lead singer of Genesis), Jonathan Dimbleby, Jacob Rees-Moog (local MP), Bel Mooney and The National Trust.

There are some pictures of the environmental damage already done by the developers (Golden Valley Paddocks Ltd).

My 80 mile (130 km) route will start in Woolley Valley, I will join the Great Weston Ride at Bristol and then end at Weston-super-mare.

You can help me and the campaign by: