Sustainability

Construction

When we bought the ruined property in 2017, we were determined to breathe new life into the house and barns, retaining existing features and reusing materials where we could.

The fabric of the barn has been repaired with lime mortar and stone found on site. We have reused all sound slates from the original roofs, with additional slates reused from locally demolished buildings. Sheep’s wool has been used to insulate the internal timber construction and beneath the ground, recycled glass takes the place of hardcore and petrochemical based insulation.

The Fermacell boarding used for the internal finishes contains recycled newspaper and has been finished with Keim mineral based paint which, combined with fully tiled floors, provides an easily cleanable and durable finish, low in volatile organic compounds.

Externally, traditional linseed oil-based paints have been used for facias and woodwork, providing a long lasting and easily maintainable finish.

Materials containing plastics have been avoided where possible: the rainwater gutters and downpipes are made of recyclable steel and the windows are a wood / aluminium composite. All finishes have been chosen for their robustness and durability to reduce the need for renewal.

Many items found on site have been incorporated in the build, for example old cart shafts used as handrails for the staircase and we have reused and recycled various items of antique furniture in the fitout, adding local and historic charm to the apartments..

Efficiency

Our energy use has been reduced by providing high standards of insulation and airtightness and with all windows and doors double glazed, achieving performance which exceeds Building Regulation requirements. Two of the apartments achieve EPC A rating and the third, EPC B.

We’ve used LED lighting throughout; internally this is controlled by dimmer switches or occupancy sensors and externally by a light sensor and time clock.

All our kitchen and laundry appliances are rated A+ or better.

Energy and water

Heating and hot water is generated by two air source heat pumps and distributed to the apartments via insulated pipework. The heat pumps are located in a sunny location to maximise their efficiency and the high efficiency radiators are controlled by thermostatic valves and room thermostats.

Hot water is stored in highly insulated storage cylinders.

Electricity for the apartments is provided by a 7.5 kWh 24 panel solar photo-voltaic array (providing around 5.0 MWh each year) together with electricity from the grid on a 100% renewable energy tariff, including electricity sourced from locally generated solar energy.

Renewable fuel: two of the apartments are fitted with wood burning stoves with all wood sourced from trees on our land.

Water is supplied from the mains and we have minimised usage through the selection of low water usage appliances. All toilets are dual flush and basins and sinks are fitted with spray taps. We encourage our guests to use the dishwashers provided, as these use the least amount of water though washing up bowls are also provided for those who prefer to wash by hand.

Waste water is treated through a low energy water treatment plant before being discharged via an infiltration system into the ground.

Biodiversity

We've enhanced the rich biodiversity of the site and retained and regenerated the hedgerows and trees by careful pruning and relaying hedges in the traditional way.

We've also planted native trees and hedges and resown areas of grass, with seed rich in wildflowers (including Yellow Rattle) sourced from biodiverse farmland in the Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire areas.

The original pond by the courtyard has been reinstated, attracting all kinds of wildlife such as dragonflies, frogs and herons.

Existing bat roost spaces and bird nesting holes in the walls have been retained and new bat boxes provided.

We hope our guests will explore our land and visit the river at the bottom of the site.

Transport

We encourage cyclists to stay at the property, whether they arrive via the nearby National Cycle Network (Route 82 is just 4.5 miles away) or by car. A socket is available for free charging of electric bikes and Bike Bike Bike in Cardigan provide e-bike hire. Our onsite facilities for cyclists include a hose down point, drying room and secure indoor storage for bikes. We can provide guests with information about local cycling and MTB routes in the Brechfa Forest.

The site is also a great location for walkers and we can provide information about the wide range of walks nearby. The drying room can be used to dry clothes and boots, and boot scrapers are provided outside the apartments.

You can visit us by bus from Carmarthen and Aberystwyth (with links to the national rail network) - the bus stop is just 600m from the barn, but for most visitors, a car is likely to be essential to full explore the area.

For electric vehicle users, the network of EV chargers in our rural area has improved significantly; use our post code SA39 9BL on Zero Carbon World and Zap Map to find nearby points, including those in Llandysul and Llanybyther. We have also installed a “pay as you go” 7kW EV charging point on site.

Waste minimisation

Where guests leave their waste on site, we recycle this where possible along with our own commercial waste. Separate bins for recyclables, food waste and waste to landfill are provided. All plastics, cartons, carboard, paper, glass, metals and food waste are recycled.

Consumables

We use eco-friendly products suitable for our waste system and kind to the environment. These include the toiletries provided for our guests and our laundry and cleaning products. We use re-usable cleaning cloths including microfibre cloths that reduce the requirement for harsh cleaning products.

Social responsibility

We used local builders, specialists and materials for the conversion where available in the local area and we support local shops, pubs, cafes, restaurants and tourist experiences through the recommendations we make, bringing benefit to the local economy.

Continuing improvement

We aim to continually improve our environmental performance and to monitor this on an ongoing basis. Further projects for improvement include:

• Source more of our products locally and in doing so, support local businesses

• Provide more information about local walks and cycle routes

• When we need to replace products, we will consider those that are the most environmentally friendly

• Continue to monitor our usage of electricity and find ways to reduce consumption further, whilst maintaining sufficient comfort for our guests

• Keep the information we provide to promote sustainability up to date

• Play our part in promoting green tourism

• Compost our garden and vegetable waste

• Further exploit the natural resources of the site by providing seating areas, nature guides, binoculars and, for children, a box of ideas for a nature adventure

• Seek the highest grade of award as members of the ‘Green Tourism Business Scheme’.