Accessible self-catering holiday cottage in Northumberland
Situated at Bingfield near Hexham Northumberland
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The Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) is an accredited scheme for tourism businesses relating to environmental good practice. Visit Scotland (formerly the Scottish Tourist Board) launched the first GTBS in the UK in 1997, leading the way in developing an initiative that encourages the preservation of the countries natural assets on which tourism so depends. The Scottish scheme now has 550 members and is operated successfully across a variety of sectors including all types of accommodation providers, holiday parks, visitor attractions, conference centres, corporate offices and Tourist Information centres.
The Scheme is based on the implementation of environmental measures, (of which there are over 120) Most of these are practical, economic, and often common sense measures which are divided into 8 main sections.
- Compulsory; this covers environmental legislation & includes a commitment to the environment.
- Marketing and management
- Communication
- Energy saving
- Water issues
- Purchasing
- Waste Minimisation
- Transport
- Nature Health and Landscape
Compulsory
By joining the GTBS we have made a commitment to good environmental practices, ensuring we meet minimum requirements set by environmental law and fulfilling our legal duty of care requirements for waste disposal.
We aim to ensure that we are minimising the harmful effects and maximising the beneficial influences, which our activities have on the environment.
Green Tourism Business Scheme
Environmental Measures implemented by the Hytte
- Environmental awareness training for staff. Both Sonja & Simon are self aware of environmental issues, Green Audit Kit users and investigated "best practice" in the building of the Hytte.
- We have attended Green Seminars to maximise effective environmental practice.
- We provide environmental information for our guests
- Members of the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
- We monitor our energy use by our guests (kWh) and encourage guests to use energy wisely.
- We monitor flora and fauna and have compiled a list of birds and mammals we have seen in the grounds
- We monitor feedback from our customers with a customer questionnaire to continually improve the service we provide.
- We have a "Green Policy" displayed for our guests in the Hytte
- Our brochure and website contain details of our commitment to the GTBS.
- We use the Internet to send e-mails - reducing the amount of paper used by the business.
- We operate a payback scheme charging guests visitors a small fee to use the facilities to support the Northumberland National Park Environment association, Squirrel action Group Gilsland and Great North Air Ambulance.
- The Hytte has a no smoking policy, which reduces the environmental impact of cleaning and decorating.
- Visitors are informed of environmental measures with Green information folder and "Green Corner"
- We encourage better lifestyle ideas with wide-ranging literature on walking and cycling to suit all abilities including family walks aimed at those with children.
- We share information (informal and presentations) with guests and other tourism businesses encouraging and helping others to implement sound environmental practice.
- Our fridge and freezer are eco labelled as 'A' rated and are both switched off when not in use, we ensure that door seals are tight, and doors close easily.
- All our light bulbs are low energy throughout the Hytte internally and externally, reducing the amount of energy used and minimising Light pollution
- We have installed zoned thermostats to control heating in all areas.
- We have exceeded the minimum standards for insulation of the Hytte in addition the grass roof provides further insulation.
- All our windows are double-glazed with energy efficient "E" glass
- We closely monitor our electricity consumption, guests who use above "Average" electricity will be charged for units over as "Pay Back" This "Payback" will be donated to Northumberland National Park Environment Association, Squirrel Action Group Gilsland and The Great North Air Ambulance.
- Our energy is supplied by EDF renewable "Green Energy"
- All of our heating is supplied by a ground source heat pump which provides 3 units of heating for every 1 unit required to drive the pump
- Our hot tub was supplied with a thin polystyrene lid we have replaced this with a much thicker one which provides far greater insulating qualities (the polystyrene has been recycled and put under and around the tub to provide further insulation) we have also installed a floating cover on the water surface to prevent further heat loss.
- Our hot water tanks are well insulated and set at 60°c
- All our laundry is washed on site and line dried we have NEVER used a tumble dryer to dry any sheets or towels - ever!
- All our curtains are heavy fabric and lined, guests are encouraged to draw them at dusk.
- We have plans to install a 6kW micro wind turbine (following difficulties with planning!) we are now in the process of trying to purchase some land to site a turbine.
- We ensure none of our taps drip
- Our taps are low flow, minimising water use.
- We provide and encourage our guests to use showers.
- Use of an 'A' rated washing machine.
- Encourage the use of a dishwasher to save water!
- We use a water butt to collect rainwater to water the garden.
- We use a drip irrigation system to water the roof (only in extremely dry conditions i.e. drought of 2006)
- We supply phosphate free soaps and detergents, chlorine free cleaners.
- We have installed a duel flush toilet in the shower room and put a 500ml bottle of water to reduce the consumption in the bathroom toilet.
- Installation of Reed Bed to manage wastewater sensitively.
- We use recycled paper products i.e. toilet paper and kitchen roll.
- We use recycled printer cartridges and then return them to be recycled again.
- We provide details of local food producers and farmers markets to encourage guests to buy local produce.
- We grow herbs in the garden for guests to use, and produce free range eggs.
- We have used local craft products, (paintings, garden ornaments, bird table etc)
- We use micro fibre cloths to minimise the use of cleaning products.
- We use "Fair Trade" tea, coffee, cocoa and sugar and are members of "Fairtrade Hadrian's Wall"
- We recycle, Glass, paper, ferrous metals, aluminium, plastics, and batteries, printer cartridges.
- We have reduced the amount of chemicals we use by using eco balls for all our laundry.
- Our textiles have been recycled by making them into 'clippy mats' and cleaning cloths
- Food waste is composted i.e. fruit and vegetable peeling tea bags etc, bread and pasta etc is recycled via the chickens!
- We have a food digester to deal with waste cooked food and bones.
- Garden waste is composted and used to enrich the soil and also mulch plants so we don't need to water them.
- We have a food digester for waste cooked food.
- Construction /wood waste has been used to build nest boxes and also our bug hotel to encourage over wintering of insects.
- Items we have replaced such as bedding towels furniture etc are donated to charities.
To make recycling as easy as possible for our guests, waste is collected by ourselves from the guests doorstep, we are then able to screen all waste to ensure nothing that is recyclable ends up in landfill.
- We do not have any local public transport but have details of the Hadrian's Wall bus, which we encourage, guests to use. (You can really appreciate the scenery when not driving and minimise pollution)
- We have changed our car from a petrol (28mpg) to a diesel (50mpg)
- Information is provided on walks and cycle routes in the area.
- We provide information on cycle hire for visitors.
- We are members of Visit Britain's walkers and cyclists scheme
- We provide secure dry storage for cycles (summer house/porch)
- Our business supports the Northumberland National Park and Squirrel Action Group Gilsland and Northumberland air ambulance from pay back donations and the battery hen Welfare Trust from sales of our free-range eggs.
- Spring 2008 we have created a 30m avenue from 17 varieties of Buddleja (Butterfly bushes) to attract butterflies and insect and also as a sensory area for guests with a visual impairment.
- Autumn 2008 with help from Northumberland National Parks we have started to create a wild flower meadow to attract further insects and birds
- Information is available on local nature reserves and Northumberland National parks
- We keep a list of birds and mammals seen in the grounds
- 1000 native trees and shrubs have been planted to encourage a habitat for wildlife
- We have put up bird and bat boxes,
- The Hytte is appropriately screened by building it in a natural dip, screening by planting of trees and raising the bank at the bottom of the field.
- The Hytte is an Eco design building, with turf roof. Creating a low impact dwelling.
- We have indoor plants to absorb micro toxins.
Updated March 2010.
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