Wintles 2

The Wintles, in Bishops Castle, Shropshire is a neighbourhood of 40 energy efficient houses built on a 5 acres of a 17 acre site. The rest of the site is used for, allotments, woodland, a large orchard and pasture land for wildlife.

We planted 2,000 deciduous trees and now ten years on they have matured into a beautiful forest with green lanes. We also planted 200 fruit trees in the form of a labyrinth using a biodynamic method which has resulted in an unusually abundant crop. The different species of fruit trees and the labyrinth pattern, based on the one that can be seen at Chartres Cathedral, were chosen by Keith Critchlow, an expert in Sacred Geometry.

As well as growing vegetables on their allotments residents also keep beehives, pigs and chickens.

Cars are allowed into the neighbourhood for dropping off shopping etc. but then are parked in carports away from the houses. This keeps car fumes away from the living areas and allows children to play in safety.

The houses are arranged along winding lanes as they are in traditional villages which gives friendly atmosphere makes it convivial and easier for people to get to know each other. This helps create a sense of community which leads to co-operation and the sharing of resources which we feel is the basis for true sustainability.