Home / Environment / Eco-Conscious Couple Risks Losing £150,000 Dream Home Over Strict Green Lifestyle Scrutiny
Eco-Conscious Couple Risks Losing £150,000 Dream Home Over Strict Green Lifestyle Scrutiny
19 Oct
Summary
- Couple built eco-home under Wales' One Planet Development policy
- Home will be torn down if they fail to prove they live a green lifestyle
- Couple spent £150,000 on the home, now face 5-year monitoring period
In 2025, a couple in Wales, Abigail and Marcus Beck, built their dream eco-home in the woods under the country's One Planet Development (OPD) policy. However, they now face a critical challenge – they must prove they are living a truly green lifestyle, or their £150,000 home will be torn down.
The OPD policy scrutinizes every aspect of the couple's living, from how they obtain their food and clothing to their energy and water usage. For the first five years, the Becks will be closely monitored to ensure they meet the stringent requirements. If they fail to do so, they will be "chucked out" and their home will be removed.
The OPD policy allows for the construction of zero-carbon buildings on land that would otherwise not be granted planning permission. Developers must demonstrate that they can make a basic income from the land and provide all their own energy and water. "You have to be able to live a modern lifestyle, but it doesn't have to be hugely carbon-hungry," Abigail explains.
Near their home, the Becks have a communal garden that will supply 35% of their family's food. The couple, who were featured on the TV series Grand Designs, spent a total of £150,000 on the development, facing setbacks like rain water damage during construction. Despite the challenges, they are determined to prove that sustainable living is possible and something the community can be proud of.
