The nine small holdings would be built from natural materials

Lammas, the group behind the bid, said if approved, the community would be a model of low-impact green development.

The village at Glandwr near the Preseli mountains would be built from natural materials such as turf, wood and straw.

But some local residents have concerns, and there may be objections when they go before councillors.

The application was being submitted under the council's new Low Impact Development policy on Friday.

The detailed plans amounted to 15 box files and were delivered to the county council in a wheelbarrow.

It was drawn-up to govern such developments following the protracted dispute over the roundhouse at Brithdir Mawr, near Newport.

Lammas spokesman Paul Wimbush said: "We want to build a low impact community on 76 acres of former grazing land based on the traditional model of a village but brought into the 21st century by the use of cutting-edge green technologies."

He said the nine small holdings and a central community building would blend into the existing landscape.

We are not against similar initiatives because we all understand the need for such eco-projects, but just not this particular project on this particular site Julia Phillipson

The houses would incorporate sustainable technologies such as solar heating, rainwater harvesting and electricity from renewable sources such as wind and water.

None of the buildings would be connected to any sewerage or power mains.

The development policy requires 75% of all household needs to be met directly from the land.

Mr Wimbush said there would be a broad spectrum of enterprises ranging from strawberry production to basketry, smoked hams to woollen crafts.

Residents will need to share vehicles and there would be a seasonal campsite where visitors would be charged according to how they travel to the site to reduce car journeys.

Opposition

But villager Julia Phillipson said many residents had concerns about the plans and believe the site would be "entirely unsuitable" for such a project.

The local climate, a lack of infrastructure and roads in the area, the sustainability of such small holdings and the possibility of expansion were among the reasons for their opposition, she said.

"We are not against similar initiatives because we all understand the need for such eco-projects, but just not this particular project on this particular site," she said.

The local county councillor for the area Lynn Davies said he would study the proposals closely before making-up his mind.