Shropshire self catering accommodation, timber lodge

We have employed a ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ policy throughout the setting up of this venture. Recycling bins are provided for steel and aluminium cans, paper, cardboard, bottles, plastics and food waste. We use recycled paper wherever we can and re-use any incoming envelopes with the help of sticky labels. Any remaining scrap paper is taken to our village skip to be sold to raise money for the village hall. Our website reduces the number of leaflets we send out.

The project has been set up and maintained in a sustainable way and we use it as an opportunity to educate others. We provide Centre for Alternative Technology information sheets and the Wildlife Trusts’ guide to low carbon living in a prominent place inside the lodge. Our smallholding is run on organic principles, as is the garden. We use composting bins and any surplus compost is sent to the South Shropshire District Council for its Biodigester to be made into compost on a large scale.

We secured a Sustainable Development Grant to help set up the project and continue to meet their criteria. The building is from timber grown in this country and is energy efficient throughout. The walls, floor and roof are well insulated and all windows are double-glazed. The underfloor heating system uses relatively little electricity and utilises heat-retaining ceramic floor tiles. We use low-energy light bulbs, the fridge is ‘A rated’ and the domestic hot water system is designed for conversion to solar energy in the near future. The toilet in the lodge is short-flush, the up-to-date shower uses water efficiently and we collect rainwater for watering plants and for our poultry to drink. Eco-friendly cleaning products are used.

The project benefits the AONB by using local services and provides continuing employment for one person. Visitors are encouraged to buy local produce and visit local places of interest. We have used all local tradesmen and suppliers in the setting up of the project and continue to use their services.