Demonstration permaculture and forest gardens

Our main public display area is planned to be a demonstration permaculture garden consisting mainly of perennials, and eventually incorporating a 'forest garden'. This will give visitors an inspiring vision into how organic food, medicine, shelter, heating and even clothing products can be produced in a sustainable fashion with minimal input and with high yields from plants growing in a diverse and beautiful environment.

The gardens are likely to be sited in the unplanted area of land just above the disused railway. Being close to the track the area provides easy access for the public and would also be sited close to the community composting area. Unlike the rest of the woodland, this area does not have a steep incline and so there is a possibility of providing disabled access.

These demonstration garden will be an integral part of the educational aspect of the project and will provide a backdrop for courses and workshops on related subjects, for example permaculture design and organic growing.

As well as a forest garden the demonstration gardens may also include areas replicating typical 'backyard' gardens, in order to show how permaculture and even forest gardening techniques can be incorporated into everybody's gardens.

At some point in the future, when the project's viability has been proven and its long term security assured, we may consider applying for planning permission for a 'visitors centre'. This would not be a large complex involving a café, gift shop, museum etc, but simply a small structure to provide day visitors with dry space should it rain and an area within which to display information, exhibit crafts, run courses and so on. The building itself would be a demonstration of environmental design, utilising techniques such as cob or straw bale construction, with perhaps thatch or turf roofing. This possibility for the future plays no part in our current planning application and would require a separate application and public consultation before being considered by the National Park.