Leading Norfolk Holiday Park Receives Top Rating

8/11/2010
Kelling Heath wins Gold for being Green! Award-winning

Kelling Heath Holiday Park in North Norfolk has welcomed a very prestigious accolade to the collection receiving a Gold rating from the Green Tourism Business Scheme.

The Green Tourism Business Scheme is the national sustainable tourism certification scheme for the UK and is widely regarded as one of the most important environmental accreditation schemes across the tourism sector. It aims to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of sustainable tourism by rewarding organisations across the country that make a conscious contribution. Kelling Heath joins only a handful of tourist destinations in Norfolk to win Gold.

This prestigious grading is the result of many actions taken at Kelling Heath to further improve its environmental credentials. One example of this is the creation of the ‘Green Team’, set up to focus on the sustainable day to day running of the park and to boost its eco credentials. Each member of the team comes from a different department, so ideas are shared across the park at all levels.

Ian Hacon, CEO of Blue Sky Leisure, Kelling Heath’s parent company said: “The gold grading recognises the hard work and passion shown by the staff throughout the company over the past few years. Overall, our park is about providing a back to nature experience for our customers and this award proves Kelling Heath is not only a quality destination to visit but that it is also as green behind the scenes as it is in front of them! Well done to all the team.”

The park, situated in 250 acres of Outstanding Natural Beauty, achieved 83% to secure its Gold rating, with Green Tourism advisors most impressed with the Bio-Diesel Processor, which converts all the waste vegetable oil from the kitchens into Bio-Diesel to fuel the agricultural vehicles on site. This was credited in the ‘Innovation’ section of the scheme where unique projects are given credit.

In addition, the Coasthopper Xtra bus now stops at Kelling Heath during the peak season, enabling guests to enjoy the numerous sights and unique activities along the North Norfolk coast without using their vehicles. Woodland walks and nature-based activities for adults and children on park were also highly praised by the advisors and the interpretation and variety on offer. The commitment to using renewable energy to heat hot water was also highly praised with two thirds of the hot water used by touring guests being provided using solar technology.

Kelling Heath, in striving to support the beauty of the night sky and natural countryside, does not light all areas of the park. The Green Tourism Business Scheme praises Kelling’s contribution to creating fantastic dark skies in such a beautiful, unspoilt area of Norfolk.

Nicola Badley, Environmental Officer at Blue Sky Leisure commented: “I am extremely proud of the team at Kelling Heath, as it was only through their hard work, creative thinking and commitment that the Gold Award was achieved. It is another step towards building Kelling Heath’s reputation as a green, environmentally friendly destination.”