Green initiatives undertaken by Rosehill Lodges
The Lodges:
a) Larch cladding chosen from FSC woodland here in Cornwall. Prepared and sawn by local Truro Sawmills. No chemical preservative added as the timber is self sealing.
b) Plywood sub floor is FSC. More expensive than standard ply.
c) Insulation in the walls is paper, insulation in floors is lava rock.
d) Walls are Thermacell fibre board, not plasterboard. This has a rougher surface to the touch.
e) Curtain pelmet reclaimed from ship wreck Godima off of the Devon coast.
f) Tiles in bathrooms are re-cycled glass mosaic.
g) Kitchens are 80% built with sustainable materials.
h) Low energy lights used throughout.
i) Solar panel to back up electric emersion heater.
j) Grass roofs provide high insulant levels, warm in winter, cool in summer, great for wildlife, aesthetically pleasing, renewable.
k) All wood double glazing windows from sustainable source.
l) Non hazardous chemical free fire retardant used on ceilings.
m) Air Permeability Test of building scored an incredible 1.3 under the new Part L building regs. The best result seen in the UK.
n) Log burners for bio mass space heating. Logs purchased from sustainable woodland in Cornwall.
o) All timber used in construction of lodge is FSC.
p) Picnic tables FSC, decking tables, chairs and benches are FSC.
q) All flooring in lodges is bamboo, a highly sustainable material.
r) Lodges hand built by Pioneer Environmental Building Company (www.pioneerebc.co.uk), a local business within our village of Porthtowan using local skilled labour dedicated to Eco building techniques.Many of the features listed above were incorporated as a direct result of Pioneer's influence in the build of our lodges.
Energy consumption and recording
a)The recording of electricity usage and analysis, weekly for each lodge.
b)The recording of water usage and analysis, weekly for whole site.
c)Towel agreement in each lodge.
The use of local business services
a)Printing work for stationary undertaken by local printer based in Porthtowan.
b)Art works in lodges provided by local artist based in Porthtowan.
c)Local organic veg box details in each lodge.
d)Comprehensive guide to St Agnes eateries, businesses etc in each lodge.
e)Logs purchased from local wood supplier from sustainable woodland in Cornwall.
f)Kindling wood purchased from local supplier. ( bag return)
g)Good communications with all local businesses in Porthtowan.
h)Lodges hand built by Porthtowan based construction company.
i)On Line Booking system made in Cornwall by local Redruth Company Chycor. www.chycor.co.uk.
Employment
a)Local skilled labour used in construction of the lodges.
b)Creation of at least 6 permanent local jobs.
c)Employees of Rosehill Lodges walk to work.
d)One employee part of our social inclusion.
Cleaning Products
a)The provision of Ecover products in each lodge. ( re-fillable containers)
b)The use of M and A environmental cleaning products used throughout the site.
Fairtrade Beverages
a)Complimentary fair-trade beverages and biscuits provided in each lodge.
Landscaping and Conservation
a)Construction of a new watercourse by opening of an underground piped culvert with full backing from Environment Agency.
b)Creation of water pools, ponds and waterfalls.
c)Huge rock dug up from bottom field during groundworks reclaimed and used as sign at entrance.
d)Front of each lodge has a newly constructed insect/beetle havens.
e)Bird boxes erected throughout the site and bird tables installed.
f)Live bird cam installed and active and connected to our web site.
g)Bridges over new watercourse are made from African Adoka wood, reclaimed from the London underground.
h)External lighting posts reclaimed from former roadside bollards.
i)External lights are LED and use down lighters to avoid light pollution.
j)Use of chemicals for weed control is minimal. Use of bark chippings to suppress weeds and the use of Nematodes to control leatherjacket damage to grass.
k)Stones dug up from site used as features throughout.
l)Considerable new planting of trees and shrubs undertaken.
m)Presevation of “Garlic Mustard” plant opposite Wheal Sally preserved as haven for the Orange tipped butterfly.
n)Preservation of “Joe Pye Weed” plant at Wheal Rock preserved as haven for Red Admiral butterfly.
o)Lobellia planted to preserve and encourage the hummingbird moth.
p)Sensitive use of building materials and features to compliment Cornish identity.
q)An ongoing programme of the introduction of flowers and shrubs to attract birds and insects.
Visitor Information
a)Information on local walks provided at a modest cost as part of our visitor payback scheme. Contributions made to Cornwall Wildlife Trust and Screech Owl Sanctuary.
b)A guide book for local walks in each lodge.
c)Information on local bus routes, buses, trains, ferries and planes.
d)Information on local cycle hire and cycle routes.
e)A well stocked reception area with ideas for days out.
f)A list of the shops etc in Porthtowan Village in each lodge.
g)A list of Flora and Fauna on the site available to read in reception.
Re-Cycling
a)Glass, tins, plastics, paper and cardboard recycled with re-cycle bins provided on each lodge.
b)Compost bins provided on each lodge.
c)Grass cuttings collected and spread over set aside field with local farmer.
d)Prunings from the site, chipped and added to compost.
e)Leaves collected in the autumn and given to Organic vegetable grower for mulch.
f)Wood ashes from log burners mixed into compost.
g)Recycled toilet roll with recyclable packaging in each lodge.
h)Recycled stationary used in the office.
i)Paper recycled in the office.
Sustainability
a)To provide all year round accommodation.
b)Sustainable from a “Human Standpoint”.
Awards and memberships
a)Rosehill is awaiting assessment under the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) currently scheduled for early March.
b)Rosehill is a Corporate member of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust.
c)Rosehill is a member of COAST. (Cornwall Sustainable Tourism Project) and was an Ambassador member in 2004.
d)Rosehill management are personal members of the Helford Voluntary Marine Conservation Area (HVMCA)
e)Rosehill management have undergone a 3 day training course for Phases 1, 2 and 3 of BS8555 Environmental Management.
f) Rosehill are winners of the "Green Apple Award" for the built environment.