"I can't imagine that we could have come across a nicer place
to stay in Wales"
Eco-friendly
Holidays
"If everyone lived like the average Welsh
person, we would need nearly three planets to support us." walesfootprint.org
If you are concerned about the environmental impact of your holiday,
why not plant a tree when you arrive at the farm as part of our
'Carbon Neutral Cottage Holiday Sheme'
?
Environmental Policy
SWANSEA VALLEY HOLIDAY COTTAGES
Swansea Valley Holiday Cottages
consist of 4 two-bedroom cottages located on agricultural land in
the rural setting of Cilybebyll, near Pontardawe. The site used
to be part of the Plas Cilybebyll Estate and is approximately eight
miles from the Brecon Beacon National Park boundary.
The environmental impacts of the cottages include
the consumption of electricity and fuel oil, storage of oil, use
of water, and disposal of general waste. In recognising these impacts,
through commitment to preventing pollution and demonstrating continual
environmental improvement, Swansea Valley Holiday Cottages will:
• Minimise resource use through efficient
practices and prudent fuel use;
• Comply with and, where possible, exceed the requirements
of relevant environmental legislation;
• Minimise waste disposal, practice composting and recycling
where practicable;
• Ensure the correct storage and handling of fuel oil;
• Promote the natural biodiversity of the site;
• Conduct an annual review of renewable energy technologies and continue to pursue our goal of producing enough green energy on site to satisfy all our energy needs;
• Provide guests with a means of carbon
neutralising their cottage holiday at Plas Farm;
• Support charities that help to conserve endangered species,
protect threatened habitats and address global environemntal threats.
See list of charities we support.
• Ensure the business environmental performance is independently certified on an annual basis e.g. the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
This Policy will be subject to annual review,
will be communicated to staff and made available to all interested
parties.
More specifically it means that at Plas Farm,
home of Swansea Valley Holiday Cottages, we are commited to
Retaining all existing traditional field
boundaries (hedges, walls, banks etc.) and maintaining stockproof
boundaries
Safeguarding archaeological and historic features,
including traditional buildings
Retain individual trees & replacing where
necessary
Safeguard rock features and geological sites
Protecting ponds, streams & rivers with
a 1m buffer strip (increased to 10m for operations involving farmyard
manure)
Keeping the farm clear of rubbish
Managing the land in accordance with the Codes
of Good Agricultural Practice
Maintaining whole farm stocking rates at a
level which will always be less than 2.4LSU/ha/yr
The conservation of existing habitats including
woodland and scrub, orchards & parkland, heathland, unimproved
grassland, semi-improved grassland and wetlands.
Swansea Valley Holiday Cottages are awaiting grading under the Green Tourism Business Scheme which recognises compliance with environmental legislation and maintenance of
environmental records.
