Green Footprints Shortlist Brochure by North West Leicestershire District Council

Shortlist Awards Brochure Sponsored by:

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Stephenson College Quality learning at the Heart of the National Forest

Offering a wide range of full time courses, Apprenticeships and Higher Education programmes

 Planting aspirations  Nurturing ambitions  Growing individuals  Supporting employers & communities

Delighted to support the Green Footprints Awards

01530 836136 - services@stephensoncoll.ac.uk www.stephensoncoll.ac.uk Thornborough Road Coalville Leicestershire LE67 3TN

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Welcome Michael Specht Councillor/ Chairman

‘The standard of the entries this year has been outstanding and I offer my hearty congratulations to all the shortlisted candidates.’

Richard Blunt Councillor/Leader

‘There is a lot of excellent work being carried out across North West Leicestershire and we thank all the shortlisted candidates for their hard work and commitment.’

Christine E Fisher Chief Executive

‘This is the fifth year of the Awards and I would like to say a tremendous thank you to all the sponsors and judges who continue to help make the Awards such a fantastic success.’

The Green Footprints Challenge was launched across North West Leicestershire in April 2008 to help create a cleaner, greener district. The Challenge aims to change the way we all think about our local environment and to encourage us to take action to reduce our carbon footprint. Six years on the Challenge has exceeded everyone’s wildest expectations. From the very beginning we have been serious about developing a campaign that really makes a difference; we have invested a lot of time and energy into talking to our local community, identifying issues and opportunities and then working up projects that bring people together to make a bigger impact. The District Council’s role has been to link all these businesses, communities and schools together and share as much information as possible on all the wonderful opportunities available. This has resulted in many exciting projects. In just the past few months members of the Green Footprints Business Network have been working together to deliver their own energy efficiency workshops to other local businesses. Likewise members of the Green Footprints Community Network got the chance in a lifetime invitation to help create the Woodland Trust’s Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Wood at Normanton le Heath. There have been lots of success stories for our communities and the Green Footprints Challenge has picked up six national awards along the way. Most recently we have enjoyed the excitement of students at Castle Rock High School as they were crowned ‘Environmental Champions of the Year’ by Keep Britain Tidy; students ran their Green Footprints communications’ project as part of the Don’t Muck Around campaign. Finally, we extend a huge ‘thank you’ to our sponsors for their continued and invaluable support. Without you there simply would be no Green Footprints Challenge. Thank you.

Businesses Shortlist Donington Park Farmhouse Hotel

Situated near Castle Donington, this 19 bed hotel also has a number of function barns and an adjoining caravan park. The hotel is committed to developing and refining its environmental practices and operates an Environmental Management System to help reduce energy and water consumption, minimise landfill waste and procure local goods. The owners have recently installed a biomass mini district heating system, managing their own woodlands to provide the fuel to heat all of their buildings. They have introduced 46 solar panels to provide energy to the function rooms and have also installed three reed beds to help filter the hotel’s waste water.

East Midlands Airport

In July 2012 East Midlands Airport became the first in the UK to achieve carbon neutral ground operations. They have installed two commercial scale wind turbines, saving 200 tonnes of carbon in their first year of operation, and have further plans to install more. Electricity consumption has been reduced by 5% year on year since 2010 and staff have diverted 88% of their waste from landfill. The Airport operates a Community Fund for local groups and encourages staff to volunteer their time to support local community and environmental projects.

Prescient Power Ltd

Based in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Prescient Power is a renewable energy consultant and installer, specialising in solar PV, wind, hydro-electricity, heat pumps, biomass and solar thermal. The company operates according to its green principles and aims to run a paperless office and reduce travel miles by operating online meetings. During product installation they separate waste at site and recycle as much as possible, resulting in less than two tonnes of waste a year being sent to landfill. The company donates 10% of its post-tax profits to help combat the effects of climate change in some of the world’s poorest communities.

Judging Panel

About the award sponsor Quadrant Events offer everything from audio-visual hire, through to planning, managing and delivering conferences, roadshows, awards evenings and product launches. Quadrant aims to provide clients with outstanding service. Whether you are hiring a piece of equipment or the company is providing a full event package, you can expect the same professionalism, attention to detail and customer care.

Sponsored by:

Lead David Hughes, NWLDC Sponsor Julie Maskrey Quadrant Events Ltd Partner Martin Traynor, Chamber of Commerce

Radisson Blu East Midlands Airport: Built to the highest modern standards as a four-star ‘Design Hotel’.

Children & Young People Shortlist (Coalville) Squadron, Air Training Corps

This group of young air cadets has been involved in many practical environmental projects as one of their key aims to “develop qualities of leadership and good citizenship”. As part of their core activities, the group works hard to reduce their environmental impact by reducing energy, recycling and buying ‘green’ products. The young people also regularly assist local community groups with litter picks, constructing footpaths through nature areas and planting trees within the National Forest. Some of these activities were encouraged by former cadets who came back to mentor other young people and encourage them to get involved in local projects.

Ibstock Community Garden

The young people have transformed a large, overgrown, flytipped area beside the skate park into a community garden that can be used by everyone in Ibstock. Volunteering days are held one Saturday a month, attracting up to 40 people at a time. Volunteers have helped create vegetable plots, around 400 trees and shrubs, an apple orchard, wildlife pond, wildflower garden, amphitheatre, barbeque and seating area. The group has taken an eye sore in the village and created a haven for wildlife, resulting in positive experiences for the young people and bringing the village together in a meaningful way.

Snibston Youth Group

Snibston Youth is a group of young people aged 14-19 years who aim to reduce anti-social behaviour in and around Snibston Country Park. The members are passionate about the park and have clocked up 4500 volunteer hours over the last year, helping with projects such as repairing fences, planting trees, creating nature trails, building bird boxes and creating a giant map of the park. The young people volunteer to recruit new members from the area and their outreach work has helped increase the number of visitors to the park, who now see the area as a safer place to visit.

About the award sponsor Stephenson College offers the very best training and facilities for learners in renewable energy and sustainable construction in the UK, in conjunction with accreditation partners BPEC. The College has a strong tradition of working with the renewable energy industry, and has partnership arrangements with market leaders Bosch and Baxi. Students taking courses including plumbing, construction and architecture can learn about renewable energy in domestic and industrial environments. Radisson Blu East Midlands Airport: 218 rooms including a presidential suite, three executive suites and six junior suites, all equipped with 38-inch flat screens and air conditioning.

Judging Panel Lead Rob Bartholomew, NWLDC Sponsor Nigel Leigh, Stephenson College Partner Daniel Harrold, NWL Youth Council Sponsored by:

Partnerships & Community Groups Shortlist

Coleorton & New Lount Volunteers

This relatively new conservation group has a strong membership with over fifty people getting involved in activities that help protect Lount Nature Reserve and Coleorton Wood. The group manage the species-rich grassland and woodland areas and have encouraged biodiversity by building and installing a snake nesting pit and a variety of bird boxes. They also work hard to improve visitors’ access and facilities, constructing pathways, boardwalks and new gates and fencing. The group has organised nature walks and bat nights as well as a number of social evenings to encourage local residents, community groups and schools to get involved.

Donisthorpe Community Fund

This village-led project aims to make a difference “by the community getting together and doing things to make Donisthorpe the best place to live”. The group encourages the entire village to get involved and has created a real sense of community spirit. Regular work parties are held to manage Orchard Wood, including planting new varieties, pruning existing trees and carrying out footpath improvements. The group has organised fun days and Wassailing events to raise money for village projects and has recently purchased an apple press to support the future harvesting of apples from the orchard.

Friends of Thringstone Dynatherm Community Fund

Friends of Thringstone is a well-established community group that gets involved with all sorts of environmental improvements within the village. Members invite other local groups to get involved in their regular litter picks, resulting in more than 1000 bags of rubbish being collected in just eight months. The group recently re-sited flowerbeds on the green and planted over 1000 spring bulbs as well as trees and shrubs. They aim to be pro-active within the community and help organise a large number of community events such as the green scarecrow show, guided walks in the National Forest and the ‘Carols Round the Tree’ event at Christmas.

Judging Panel About the award sponsor The Radisson Blu East Midlands Airport Hotel is the greenest hotel in the country. The five-storey, 216-bed hotel features a state-of-the-art leisure club and a stylish restaurant. Guests can relax in the sauna, spa pool and steam room, or try indulgent treatments in the beauty spa. The Radisson Blu also features a fully equipped fitness centre and an indoor swimming pool.

Sponsored by:

Lead John Richardson, NWLDC Sponsor Daniel Keane, Radisson Blu Airport Hotel Partner Vicci Barrett, Voluntary Action Leicestershire

Radisson Blu East Midlands Airport: Meeting and conference facilities for up to 500 delegates, with up to 400 in largest suite, plus free high-speed internet access throughout.

Schools Shortlist All Saints Primary School, Coalville

The school has a very active eco-committee, with pupils being in charge of environmental projects. The children organise and deliver assemblies and follow up with regular monitoring on recycling, energy use and water efficiency. The school composts its waste and runs its own gardening club. They have recently established a new quiet garden area and each class has two plots to grow plants, flowers, fruit and vegetables, which the children then enjoy cooking and eating! The children have also helped plant new hedgerows around the school playing field and help manage a nature area to encourage biodiversity.

Ivanhoe College, Ashby de la Zouch

Ivanhoe College is working hard to reduce its carbon footprint and, after completing an energy survey, has recently installed new glazing, heating controls and energy efficient lighting, recycling old fittings where possible. Further improvements are being made through insulation, water saving devices and a recycling programme. This has resulted in a 17.5% reduction in energy bills and a 15% reduction in water consumption year on year. The school aims to embed a wholeschool environmental ethos through the curriculum and encourages students to get involved with projects such as the Big Switch Off and the school’s gardening group.

Woodstone Community Primary School, Ravenstone

Woodstone Primary’s eco-committee lies at the heart of its environmental endeavours, with pupils closely involved with all projects taking place. The children plan, organise and lead on initiatives such as litter picking, campaigning against dog fouling, recycling, energy efficiency and managing the school nature area. Pupils are so enthusiastic that members of the eco-committee have even been known to advertise for new members, hold interviews and conduct training! All this hard work has resulted in reduced energy and waste bills for the school, which was recently awarded Green Flag status from Eco Schools.

Judging Panel About the award sponsor The National Forest Company leads the creation of the National Forest, a new wooded landscape for the nation across 200 square miles of central England. Over half of the Forest area is in Leicestershire and individuals, families, communities and businesses can all get involved. This award is a fantastic opportunity to recognise the families and individuals who make truly outstanding ‘green footprints’ in their everyday lives. Radisson Blu East Midlands Airport: Extensive brasserie-style menu featuring international cuisine available from the restaurant, lounge or bar.

Lead

Paul Coates, NWLDC

Sponsor

Sue Anderson, National Forest Company

Partner

Ian Vears, Leicestershire County Council Sponsored by:

Sustainable Urban Design Shortlist This is the third year of this particular category in the Green Footprints Challenge Awards. This year the judges shortlisted three projects that they felt were innovative and met the Council’s aspirations to raise the quality of sustainable design within the district.

Blackfordby St Margaret Church of England School Extension – by YMD Boon Ltd

This contemporary school extension has created a sustainable and contemporary addition to the school whilst retaining the existing school building as the dominant structure on the site. The extensive use of timber and glazing helps soften the appearance of the structure and reinforces a sense of place, inspired by the National Forest. The design is striking but sensitive to its historic location between the Grade 2 listed school and St Margaret’s Church.

Broomhill Farm, Heather – by Malcolm Timms Architectural Consultancy & Stommel Haus Agency

This new dwelling is constructed in an innovative and contemporary style using solid timber; it is a custom-made Stommel House, which is provided in ‘kit’ form and has high environmental credentials. Materials are devoid of any chemical treatment and have excellent insulation properties to create a healthy living environment and energy efficient home. The use of solid timber allows the home to breathe, keeping the indoor temperature and air humidity at the perfect level.

Fox and Goose Corner, Coalville – by William Davis & A + G Architects

Located at the former ‘Minnesota’ site, Fox and Goose Corner is a traditionally inspired development located on a prominent gateway site into Coalville. The design references the National Forest and sustainable features include photovoltaic panels and rain water harvesting systems. The installation of these technologies, alongside other energy efficiency measures, has enabled the scheme to perform well against the Code for Sustainable Homes, achieving Code 3.

About the award sponsor OurplaceTM is the Council’s award winning design initiative that seeks to encourage and inspire people to create and expect places that contribute positively to our everyday lives and support our natural, built and social environment. The scheme enables home buyers to find out how a particular development will potentially perform against the national Building for Life standard. Simple and clear ratings certificates help home buyers to easily compare developments as they look for their ideal place to live.