Untitled - Vale Das Lobas

Artisan Village
Vale das Lobas
The Artisan Village comprises of more than 30 hectares of forest and meadow,
surrounding one kilometre of river frontage on the Muxagata River. It lies in the
heart of the Vale das Lobas Biodiversity Zone, and will be a high profile development, demonstrating low-impact construction and biodiversity enhancing land
use techniques, including lakes and forest gardens.
This development has been managed by a collaboration between two Portuguese organisations: Barro Luso Lda – a social enterprise land management company, formed to purchase the sites for the Biodiversity Zones, and establish feasibility and permissions, and Vale das Lobas Association – a non profit membership
organisation with a mission to provide Rural Regeneration through improving
Biodiversity and establishing authentic ecological tourism. These stakeholders are
in partnership agreements with The Camara Municipal of Fornos de Algodres,
who support the plan and have given permission for construction to proceed, The
Hunting and Fishing Club, who have agreed to the Biodiversity Zone becoming
hunting-free, Fornos High School, who are collaborating in the monitoring and
evaluation programs for the Vale das Lobas Biodiversity zone. Further partnerships are being discussed with grant making agencies, including PRODER,
ADRUSE and PORTUGAL 2020.
Planning has been approved for the following:
- 15 bedroom hotel
- 14 eco-dwellings – for freehold sale under a plural ownership system.
- Campsite, with shower and kitchen facilities and a natural swimming pool
- A restaurant in the water mill
Mains water and electricity are already available to the site. However, the unique
opportunity of one kilometer of river frontage provides ample scope for
hydro-generation. Photovoltaic generation is also feasible. For independent
water, a bore hole would provide ample supply. A biogas plant would deliver full
cycle waste management.
The Market
In negotiations with Fornos de Algodres Camâra Municipal, it is agreed that the
profile of this region deserves to be updated. Historically, it as been overlooked as
a tourism destination, but as the market is now reorienting with a substantial
share going to activity and nature tourism, this backwater of Portugal, which is
well serviced by the train, rail and highway system, can become of serious interest,
based around the branding of “Nature Tourism” and “Eco-Spirituality” Local attractions for visitors include:
- Dolmens and Neolithic sites
- Nature trails for hiking, mountain biking.
- Granite outcrops for bouldering.
- Hot springs
- Vale das Lobas Biodiversity Centre
The Artisan Village is a development in tandem with The Vale das Lobas Centre for
Biodiversity, Health and Education. The Medicine Gardens, Natural Medicine
Centre, and Conference facilities will attract day visitors, weekenders, course
participants, and medical centre clients. For a reference point, consider the Centre
for Alternative Technology, and Heligan Gardens, both in remote rural areas, but
successfully attracting visitors with an educational and inspirational interest. The
demography of visitors will also include: holiday-makers wishing to attend celebrations and other events at the Biodiversity Centre, which will strengthen the
position of the tourism facilities.
The demand for high quality eco-accommodation for tourism is a fast growing
global market. These hobbit style eco-dwellings will provide an exciting
alternative to the standard holiday accomodation. They will be sold with the
added incentive that they could be sublet for visitors, offering a year round
income when the owner is not in residence.
Vale das Lobas
O Seminario, Rua Igreja, Sobral Pichorro 6370-382
Portugal
valedaslobas.com
admin@valedaslobas.com
+351 933 667 053
H
car park