Gisburne Park Estate (GPE) and Ribblesdale Park (RP) Sustainability Policy 2023
Background
Gisburne Park is one of Lancashire’s finest private estates made up of 1000 acres of picturesque Ribble Valley countryside in an Area of Outstanding National Beauty and is owned and managed by Guy Hindley and family. Nestled within the extensive estate is a hidden valley surrounded by ancient woodland, dramatic cliffs, medieval houses, picturesque bridges and an abundance of wildlife and the estate has a rich and extraordinary history.
Upon inheriting Gisburne Park Estate on the death his father Guy began with transforming a tired but unspoilt shooting and hunting estate into a luxury, state of the art holiday village. 50 years ago, the site was a state of the art dairy farm that his grandfather built, with the farming economy as it was, the farm became redundant and remained in a sorry state which inspired Guy’s father to apply for planning permission for a holiday park which he was granted. The hunting and shooting era have long finished at GPE and RP and we are proud to be turning our land into a wildlife sanctuary which our guests can explore and enjoy.
GPE and RP recognise its responsibility to respect and preserve the environment and are committed to achieving environmental best practice where practically possible throughout the business activity.
We continually conserve and protect the environment and natural resources to preserve cultural heritage, conserve energy, reduce waste, use organic, sustainable products, educate employees, and strive to cut single use plastic. Our customers and guests are made aware of our sustainability policy, and we encourage them to help us achieve them and employees are regularly trained on the importance of this.
Rewilding of Gisburne Park Estate – helping to bring wildlife back to Great Britain.
- Tenant farmers now restricted from spraying pesticides, slurry, fertilisers – promotes insect life and protects waterways.
- Low levels of stock on the fields – supports ground nesting birds.
- Restricted mowing times – supports ground nesting birds.
- Instruction of ponds and waterways – promotes wildlife.
- No hunting or shooting – allows wildlife to flourish. Has seen the return of a rare Sika herd that had been hunted to near extinction in the area.
- 10 Beehives have been introduced across the estate to help the ever diminishing bee population. Only 1 hive is harvested a year.
- Committed to a mid level stewardship scheme with the Rural Payments Agency. This agreement obligates us to the following:
- Management of hedgerows
- Low input grassland
- Lenient grazing supplement
- Management of successional areas and scrub
- Livestock exclusion supplement
- Educational access
conserving energy
- Use of Energy Saving Bulbs
- Encouraging a Switch of policy with Staff and Guests for Lights, TV’s, Electrical Equipment
- Ensure all staff are aware of the requirements to turn down/off radiators and thermostats when accommodation is not occupied.
- Regular boiler checks
- Purchasing of Energy Efficient Equipment
- Use of eco settings for the laundry of all linen and bedding
- Future aim: Solar Panels and Smart Meters
Reducing waste
- Use fabric napkins as much as possible over paper napkins
- Use Recycled products wherever possible
- Cut down on food waste
- Donate unused foods
- Future aim is to eradicate single use plastic and encourage guests to refill the same water bottle when dining or in the accommodation with branded bottles encouraging reuse.
Water Consumption
- Maintenance of washing machines, taps, dishwashers to mend leaking taps
- Only washing full loads with the glass machines and dishwashers
- Towels and Linen are only cleaned on checkout rather than throughout the stay to reduce water consumption, energy and use of detergents.
Responsible Purchasing
- Environmentally friendly cleaning materials; organic cleaning products and micro fibre cloths
- Environmentally friendly refill toiletries
- Recyclable packaging
- Biodegradable confetti or petals can only be used.
- Grow food on site via our onsite fruit and vegetable garden and purchase locally.
- Lamb and Beef sourced on site via our Estate Farm
- The use of Fairtrade, Organic and Rainforest Alliance certified products where possible
Guest contribution - Cultural Heritage and Countryside Code
- Towels and linen are not laundered daily, but only upon check out.
- We ask that all electrical items are switched off and not left on standby or for pro-longed charging.
- Turn down the heating before opening windows.
- Take leftovers home from the onsite bar and restaurant.
- To follow the countryside code, we publish walking routes on our website to encourage guests to become familiar with our heritage, the wildlife and picturesque setting that is so important to us and we ask that guests to follow the countryside code and be respectful and mindful of the environment.
