Kelling Heath carries off sustainable business award

11/22/2011

Kelling Heath Holiday Park, near Holt, north Norfolk, has again been recognised for its green credentials, triumphing in the Sustainable Tourism category at this year’s EDP Tourism Awards.

The park, owned by Blue Sky Leisure, carried off the National Trust-sponsored award during a black tie celebration dinner hosted by the Eastern Daily Press and The Hoseasons Group at the Holiday Inn, Norwich, on Friday (November 18).

Emerging victorious from a category that also included Norfolk Broads Direct and Waveney River Centre, entrants were asked to demonstrate good practice in the use of sustainable materials and environmentally friendly products, as well as initiatives to reduce energy consumption, save water and minimise waste.

Recognising that the park puts sustainability at the heart of its operation and profitability the judges, including Archant Anglia Business Editor Chris Hill, said: “The environmental ethos throughout the company is endorsed by customers and staff alike, but has been implemented on the strength of cost-saving and economic benefits, resulting in true sustainability rather than superficial “tokenism."

” Some of the park’s eco projects have included the introduction of solar water heating and rain water harvesting at the shower buildings used by touring guests and a project to use waste oil from the restaurants to make bio-diesel for the park’s agricultural vehicles.

Nicola Badley, Environment and Procurement Officer for Blue Sky Leisure, said: “It’s great for the team at Kelling to be recognised for the hard work we are putting into making the park as sustainable as possible. The time and resources we are investing to preserve the natural beauty and wildlife of the surrounding area now will allow our guests to enjoy this beautiful environment for many years to come.”

This latest awards success comes just a few weeks after Kelling Heath and its sister destination Woodhill Caravan Park, in East Runton, north Norfolk, were again awarded the David Bellamy Gold Award for Conservation in recognition of ‘leading and pioneering’ work to create green and environmentally-friendly places to visit. Both parks have continued to achieve recognition in the awards since they were launched in 1997.

They also scored highly in the recent Visit Britain Quality in Tourism 2011 assessments, which saw Kelling Heath retain the nationally-recognised five star rating and Woodhill its four star rating. It means they can continue to display Visit Britain’s prestigious Rose Award which is only presented to caravan holiday homes of a high standard.