Environmental action at Somerleyton

Somerleyton has always been nurturing the environment and over the past 10 years alone we have planted approximately 10,000 trees, over 8 kilometres of hedgerow as well as restored 6 ponds, a mile of the Fritton Lake water edge habitat and created grazing meadows on former arable land as part of the government’s Countryside Stewardships Schemes. This process continues as we roll the entire estate into a higher tier of stewardship during 2008/2009.

Working with the local community

We renovate our properties using local suppliers and traditional techniques (lime mortar, render, paints) as well as natural materials for insulation and work surfaces. We also restore, where possible, period features such as timber frames, tile floors, fireplaces, doors and windows. We spend a great deal of time working with both Great Yarmouth and Waveney councils clearing up fly-tipped rubbish and litter from the roadsides which is endemic in rural areas close to towns throughout Britain and a serious blight to residents and tourism.

Future plans for conservation and energy efficiency

This year, with the help of a specialist consultant, each department is undertaking a ‘greenwash survey’ for their business unit to ensure the best standards of practice. We compost the green matter, use eco-friendly packaging, recycle, save energy and monitor our power sources and vehicles as well as harvest rain water; each of our tourism businesses aims to join the Green Tourism Business Scheme as a result. Further ahead, we are developing strategies to increase the estate’s power provision through woodchip boilers, converting to our own water supply and possibly growing our own fuel for the farm.

Our committment

Having studied the environmental movement, we are very reticent of ‘green tokenism’ and are committed to the basic principle to take care of the world around us and be as efficient and green as possible where economically practical.

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