What is the Park Planning Group (PPG)?

Park Ecovillage Whisky Barrel House

All Titleholders in The Park are bound by the Deed of Community Conditions (DOCC), in which it is specified that the Titleholders Association (THA) must approve multiple aspects of our built environment.

THA has delegated this mandate to Park Planning Group (PPG), which handles the associated day to day procedures and approvals of proposals.

PPG also incudes representatives from other organisations in The Park, and is given the mandate to approve proposals with their cooperation.

Why do we need PPG?

PPG helps to ensure that

  • the development of our community’s built environment and landscaping are in line with our collective aspirations, plans and guidelines

  • any development is compatible with the whole and/or does not damage our infrastructure

  • the appropriate community consultative processes have been undertaken and results considered

  • developments continue to respond to current ecological aspirations

  • we build community as we build the ecovillage

Park Ecovillage Field of Dreams

What do I need PPG permission for?

Major building projects such as developments, single new builds, major renovations or extensions that would also need Moray Council permission

  • Change of Use of buildings

Minor projects that would not need Moray Council permission but ‘alter or extend the buildings externally such as;

  • Outbuildings and lean-tos (e.g. sheds, wood-stores)

  • Boundary walls and fences

  • Porches

  • Compost toilets

  • Building demolition if no major application is part of the project

  • Any landscaping that may impact buildings, infrastructure, pathways, neighbours and wildlife habitat, such as tree planting, major pruning or felling of trees and significant earthworks

  • Signage

What else do I need to inform PPG about?

Inform PPG of any intended installation of heat pumps, electricity generation, solar panels, electric vehicle charge points, battery storage and fibre optic internet. (Installation processes and/or the result may affect infrastructure and/or neighbours.)

Formal applications for these types of installations should be made to Park Services Limited and Findhorn Wind Park.

We strongly encourage neighbour consultation about siting of such items prior to installation and  a PPG Minor application can be submitted after the above approvals and consultations have been achieved.

Park Ecovillage Woodside

How does it work?

  1. Contact PPG chair for an application form.

  2. PPG meets and discusses applications every third Thursday of the month. Submit your application before noon at least 10 days before the meeting.

  3. For major applications, PPG approval must be obtained before submitting any application for Moray Council planning permission. 

  4. PPG meeting minutes are publicly available and can be requested using our contact form. A monthly update is published in the Rainbow Bridge.

Park Ecovillage Bag End

PPG committee members

  • Eian Smith
    NON-VOTING CHAIRPERSON

  • Marc Zozaya
    TITLEHOLDERS ASSOCIATION (THA)

  • JR Fulton
    PARK SERVICES LIMITED

  • Thomas George
    NEW FINDHORN ASSOCIATION (NFA)

  • TBC
    ECOVILLAGE FINDHORN CBS (EF CBS)

  • TBC
    PARK ECOVILLAGE TRUST (PET)

  • TBC
    EKOPIA