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Our product is the environment - beautiful countryside,
fresh sea air, big blue skies, salt marshes, woods and fields - nature at her
best. Let’s keep
it that way. |
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We use
cleaning products |
| At Deepdale we know that being sustainable is vital for
our success and that that must include being environmentally conscious.
We describe our facilities as eco friendly rather than environmentally
friendly, because we are aware that there are always further steps we can
take. We have received a Gold Award from the
Green Tourism Business Scheme. We are constantly on the look out for new technologies and other
ways that we can reduce our environmental impact. Below you'll find
information on what we already do and we will constantly add to this as we
make further steps forward. |
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Recycle
Separate bins are provided for recycling paper and cardboard, plastic, glass and cans
Reuse
In the office we re-use paper as note books and envelopes and have installed
double sided printers to reduce our paper use.
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Reduce
Paper – we now use e-mail to communicate with our customers and suppliers
wherever possible, and have an electronic booking system. We've introduced
double sided printing and use scrap paper for message pads.
Water – the toilets all have a low flush option, the campsite has
waterless urinals and the showers have a low-flow water setting. The
toilets at the Dalegate Market are flushed using rainwater and we are designing
a system to use rainwater for other toilets.
Specialist systems are in place to record and monitor the crop needs of the
carrots and potatoes, so that irrigation is only applied when the crop needs it.
If we did not recycle this water through irrigation, it would go directly off
the farm out to sea.
Energy - efficient oil boilers help, but the real energy savers include
solar panels on the campsite toilet block and both
hostels, low energy light bulbs in every light, movement sensors for lights in
public areas, under floor heating and
hot roof insulation
Chemicals and sprays – as members of the Assured Combinable Crops Scheme,
we make strenuous efforts to only use the minimum amount of chemicals and
sprays. We are not organic, as the yields are very low and uneconomic, but we
abide by the principles of best practice. For example our sprayer is regularly
calibrated and we buy good quality products with minimum of impurities.
Cars - although we can't persuade all our visitors to leave their cars at
home, we do work hard to help customers avoid using their cars when they arrive.
We've worked closely with Norfolk Green, who run the CoastHopper bus service and
have great information for customers on cycling and walking in the local area.
Respecting wildlife
The countryside stewardship walks are open
to the public as walks, to cycle or for horse-riding.
Hedges – these are retained to encourage bird life. A recent bird survey in 2003
showed that there are at least 52 species of bird breeding on the farm. A
sensitive approach to hedge cutting and
replacement is also taken. Regular surveys of Flora and Fauna are
carried out. A total of 149 different species of Flora and Fauna have been noted
from the stewardship walks, including the exciting find of 16 different species
of butterfly. We would be delighted if you would like to add to our knowledge,
please take a copy in Deepdale Information and leave any lists there.
Woodland management –
Deepdale Conservation Weekends take a pro-active approach to looking after
the woodland on the farm.
Leaving stubble - Where possible, after we have combined the cereal crop,
we try to leave the stubble fields over the autumn and winter. This provides a
marvellous foraging ground for a wide range of birds. Pink-footed geese feed on
the green tops left behind in sugar beet fields. They are a marvellous sight as they
go over the farm each morning and evening.
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Sustainable Tourism
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Jason, partner of
Deepdale Farms, is now working on new projects. If his skills
could be of interest to you then please visit
www.earthlyideas.co.uk |
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Rotation
Great care is taken in the planning of the crops so as to minimise the need for
chemical control of pests and diseases.
Record and re-train
We are continually working towards environmental best practise and are always
interested in new sources of advice. As members of the National Farmers Union
and the Country Landowners Association, we attend training days and
discussion groups run by such organisations such as English Nature,
RSPB and Drainage Boards. Over the years there have been dramatic
changes to the way we undertake work on the farm, such as how we try to only
clean one side of a ditch at a time, leaving somewhere for the animals and birds
undisturbed.
As the business grows and develops, we prefer to retrain
existing staff to extend or change their roles. With our 9 permanent staff
we are achieving an average of 1.2 miles travel to and from work, by assisting
them to find local houses and/or housing them onsite. We are achieving an
average length of service of 9.5 years. Deepdale Farms is now an Investor
in People.
Review
The whole cycle is regularly reviewed to be sure that there are real
environmental and economic gains. We are keen to work with Universities and
research students to help us evaluate what we are currently doing, and trial new
environmental approaches.
Other points we are considering
• Water Recycling
• Wind Turbines
• Photo Voltaic (PV) roofing
• Straw Bail Building
• Bio Diesel
• Compost Toilets
• Rain Water Harvesting to flush toilets
"I'm a Research Fellow at a major university, investigating
carbon reduction from buildings. Since about 40% of UK C02 emissions are from
buildings, it's always nice to see any company taking steps to reduce thier
impact on the environment. But this is not only the very first campsite/hostel
that I have seen with any kind of solar hot water setup, it's also one of the
best working ones I've seen - hot showers after long walks test this well! I was
also very pleased to notice the use of PIR sensors for lighting - an idea which
is only just being used in the UK, and it is measures like this that really show
when people are looking to the future. I think the environmental policies at
Deepdale are excellent, and make for a very ethical, as well as very friendly
campsite."
Neil, Electromechanical Engineer
Solar panels
– We’ve installed solar panels for all our accommodation. Deepdale Stables has
90 evacuated tubes, supplying hot water to all those staying in the backpackers
hostel and for the laundry. Deepdale Granary has 30 tubes
supplying hot water to those staying in the group hostel and using our small loo block. Another 30 tubes supply hot water
for the showers and sinks in the campsite loo block. The solar panels massively
reduce the oil and electricity required to supply hot water.
Underfloor Heating
– The solar panels also supply the under floor heating for Deepdale Stables,
which heats the backpackers hostel and café buildings and in the campsite loo
block. The underfloor heating is a pressurised system which heats the concrete
block beneath the tiled floors. This means the reaction time of the heating is
slower than a traditional radiator system, but far more efficient.
Hot Roof System
– By installing high quality insulation in the kitchen and living room roof we’ve been able to show all the woodwork of the roof without losing any
insulation value. In fact we’ve got far higher insulation levels throughout all
the buildings than required by building regulations.
Countryside
Stewardship – This is a government scheme to
provide strips of grass beside all hedges. This provides a corridor for wildlife
and a haven for the beneficial insects such as ladybirds that eat the greenfly
that attack the sugar beet. Some of these grass strips are mowed short regularly
during the summer and are available for public access on foot, bike or on a
horse. The other areas are allowed to grow longer and cut less frequently.
Click here for details of the walks
Hedge
Cutting
and Replacement - We have retained the majority of
our hedges, unlike some farmers who have ripped them out to save a lot of
money in the cost of cutting. Our hedges are cut every 2 or 3 years to allow
the berries to be retained for the birds. Some hedges are cut short and
regularly for safety reasons. The majority are left to grow to a reasonable
height. We try to cut them in late winter after the birds have eaten the
berries. The aim is to provide an A shape to the hedge, which provides a nice
shady area along the base for the birds to get out of the rain and have a dust
bath.
Entry Level Stewardship
- Theory and practice did not meet on this scheme
at Deepdale Farm. The theory was that the government would reward some farmers
with extra payments that they had deducted from all farmers for agreed
management options. We tried to apply from the start of the scheme in 2005, but
were not allowed to, due to delays and problems with the mapping of the farm by
Defra. By the time we were allowed to apply and had an agreed programme, the
scheme had been under review by the EU. The rules were changed and we were
advised to withdraw. That does not mean we have stopped doing things beneficial
to wildlife, but we can do them in our own way and not be so finely controlled
by a very rigid set of rules.
Tree Planting - Traditionally we have tried to plant 1000 trees each year
somewhere on the farm. In the last few years, with arable farming actually
losing money we have had to stop this activity. We have now started again with
government grant assistance under the stewardship scheme. This mainly involves
repairing hedges where gaps have appeared through trees dying. Around the
campsite we have planted many trees both hedge type and taller species that we
are letting develop. It is rather satisfying to see the real progress of the
hedges round the lower camping paddock.
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