Dave and Mayu Phillips have received planning permission from Pembrokeshire County Council to construct an eco-home on a remote Welsh farm, where they intend to breed and eat guinea pigs along with other small livestock such as pigeons and rabbits. The development, approved under the Welsh government's One Planet Development policy, aims to promote sustainable living.
Planning Approval and Sustainable Goals
The couple's proposal includes a low-impact home, increased production of honey and walnuts, and the keeping of small-scale livestock for meat. The site is located in south Pembrokeshire, near popular tourist destinations like Tenby and Saundersfoot. Dave Phillips, who stated his family has lived in the area for generations, described the project as his way of “contributing positively to its future.”
Guinea Pigs as Livestock
During a planning committee meeting, Councillor Mark Carter questioned Mr Phillips about the choice of meat, specifically the guinea pigs. Mr Phillips clarified that the guinea pigs are not typical pets: “(They’re) not like the guinea pigs people have as pets, it’s completely different. It’s just like a big rabbit, and we’ve got experience for years now we’ve bred them. They’re bred for meat, very similar to breeding rabbits for meat, very similar.” The couple plans to also raise pigeons and rabbits for food as part of their self-sufficient lifestyle.
One Planet Development Policy
The project falls under the One Planet Development (OPD) planning policy adopted by the Welsh government in 2011. According to the One Planet Council, the policy “provides a genuinely affordable and sustainable way for people to live and work on their own land, bringing social, economic and environmental benefits.” OPD is measured by ecological footprinting, which assesses resource consumption. Mr Phillips emphasized his commitment: “My wife and I are very deeply passionate about the One Planet movement and the principles behind the One Planet development. Today humanity is living as if we’ve got several more planet Earths just waiting in the wings… the reality is we only have one planet. We can spread awareness of this problem but also take practical steps towards living more sustainably.”
