In October 2005, Southwaite Green was awarded Best Overall Start Up Business Plan Award in the Handbag.com/Barclays Business competition.  The business plan also won the Contribution to Communities award.

This short movie was recorded for the award ceremony, and was made during the early stages of the development of the Southwaite Green eco-cottages.

Owner Marna McMillin discusses her plans for creating luxury eco-cottages, powered by sustainable energy sources, from disused farm buildings, using the most environmentally-friendly construction methods possible.

Southwaite Green has come a long way since these early days, but we thought you might enjoy seeing how it all began.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY STATEMENT

Southwaite Green provides carbon neutral holiday accommodation and services, and conference facilities.  The owner and housekeeping team recognise their responsibility to manage the environmental impacts of activities, products and services at Southwaite Green.  As the site is new eco build, the design of the buildings and technologies employed ensure that the heating, water and waste water has minimal effects on the environment.  We have assessed our on-going activities and identified that we need to ensure the consistent management of waste, cleaning and laundry, transport offerings and services are also carbon neutral.

Our Policy with regard to the environment is as follows: -

1.      To comply with relevant legislation, regulation and other requirements relating to the environment.

2.      To monitor regularly for any significant environmental impacts of our activities, and seek ways to minimise the effects.

3.      To develop ways of working with acceptable materials to minimise our significant environmental impacts during normal, abnormal and emergency conditions.

4.      To prevent pollution, minimise our use of utilities and resources, and reduce emissions to the atmosphere, effluents to waters and wastes to disposal facilities; endeavouring to minimise the use of materials wherever possible.

5.      To ensure that environmental responsibilities are defined, communicated and understood by everyone working or staying at Southwaite Green, and provide appropriate training where needed.

6.      To ensure that suppliers and contractors understand the Southwaite Green Policy and ensure they have appropriate systems and a responsible approach with regard to environmental issues.

7.      To communicate, co-operate and respond to the views of interested parties, including stakeholders, customers and the general public, on environmental issues.

8.      To strive for continual improvement in overall environmental performance.