FAQs

How is the foundation funded?

90% of our funding comes from private charitable donations from members of the public. The rest comes from government grants for our forestry and other ecological projects. We are actively looking for funding from companies and industries who operate in the environmental sector.

Who will benefit from the charity’s grants?

We are able to dispense grants to sustain students who attend our building courses. Once we are fully operational, schools, colleges, universities and other teaching establishments will be supported by our charity.

How will affordable land and housing for people in need be provided?

Members of the Foundation that are working on site will be employed by the project and will live on site. As a charitable trust, we have already enabled people to join the project staff, and this is something we are keen to expand on. We are able to offer affordable accommodation on the land together with employment for life.

Do you hold open days and educational visits?

We are planning to have our own car park for all visitors, which will have ample space for a school bus. All educational visits will be accompanied by a trained teaching ecologist and our aim is to encourage as many people as possible to come and learn about ecological living with us.

How is the project integrated into the local community and economy?

We already provide employment for local people, and hire local contractors for building, roadwork and drainage work. We anticipate employing a nucleus of twenty local people over the next three years on a part- and full-time basis, with that number potentially growing to fifty once the project is fully developed.

The tourism aspect of the project will enable visitors such as hill-walkers to stay in overnight accommodation on-site, and generate interest in the renewable, ecological and sustainable elements of the Project.

Do the activities on the site cause any disturbance to your neighbours or the public?

We are located in a quiet rural area, and we make sure that we do not cause any public disturbance. On the contrary, by maintaining the public road that leads to the site, it has benefited local neighbours. The local council has secured a grant from Clara and have been able to upgrade our local access road. We have also enjoyed numerous days where neighbours and Foundation members have spent time and energy helping each other with building dwellings, land maintenance and gardens etc.

How do you plan on minimising the use of motor vehicles?

As an Ecological Project designed to teach the ethics that govern green issues,our aim is to vehicle share to minimise car emissions. The local bus which passes close by takes all of the Foundation’s children to local schools in Coomhola and Bantry. There is also a local bus service that comes up the valley into Bantry.

How will your buildings be sited in relation to the local topography?

Existing buildings on-site have been retained for renovation and reuse. As with many traditional buildings, they are located for ease of access and shelter. The new buildings have been sited to have little or no visual impact and wind profile, and to maximise energy efficiency through passive solar gain on south-facing slopes within the Farm.

How many buildings do you have, and what are they like?

We are committed to demonstrate as many different methods of sustainable building as possible. As such, we want to build ten houses for employees/teachers/labour force and these will be permanent dwellings (one of these plots would demonstrate low cost ecologically friendly social housing constructions).

We would also like to give visitors and students an opportunity to experience life in an eco-friendly house by providing temporary accommodation in the form of four eco-cabins. A program of renovation would turn one of the existing farm buildings into an information centre and the old (now disused) outbuildings into WWOOF accommodation. A innovative dome structure will be the centre of our display, demonstrating the ability to grow tropical fruits in a temperate climate. The two acre site would not only house the ‘Perpetual Garden’ but also a lecture hall, audio visual displays, restaurant and small café.

Are your agriculture, horticulture and silviculture activities carried out to meet certified standards?

At present 90 acres of our site is part of the Rural Environment Protection Scheme. Our consulting REPS planner is a certified ecologist, guaranteeing the highest standard of ecological compliance. A further 43 acres of land has been planted out to a diverse woodland, planted and governed for the next five years by Green Belt Ltd. This has been funded by a government scheme, where strict compliance with ecological requirements must be observed before funding is paid. An area of ten acres in total will be dedicated to the growing of organic vegetables and fruit for the consumption of those visiting and living on the land.

Do you have any livestock on the land?

We have horses on the land, with stables, tack room and a sand arena for training. Chickens will be kept near to the Earthship-style building, and in the orchard and we are preparing to introduce ducks, pigs and sheep as part of our land management plan.

How will you make sure the project continues in the future?

As a Registered Company with Charitable status there are governmental guidelines which have to be followed. To this end, an elected group of trustees control all the assets, land, buildings and infrastructure. The Unicorn Ecological Foundation will ensure control over subsequent changes of ownership and occupation in accordance with governmental guidelines (any sale or transfer of land/assets can only be to another charitable body with the same ethos). There is no private or autonomous ownership of land or dwellings and there can be no borrowing or debt-raising for speculative ventures. This strategy will ensure the Foundation’s security for future generations.