Chatsworth Hits Peak Quality

Chatsworth has been awarded the Peak District Environmental Quality Mark (EQM) – the Peak District National Park Authority’s award for sustainability.

The award is only given to organisations that can demonstrate they operate sustainably, support communities, promote the Peak District and work to reduce their impact on the environment. It applies to the 12,000 acres around Chatsworth House and includes the farmyard, adventure playground, holiday accommodation, farm shop, ancient woodlands and ancient grasslands.

The Citation noted the “strong evidence of leadership” from the Duke of Devonshire’s son Lord Burlington regarding the installation of biomass boilers around the estate; the soon to be commissioned combined heat and power unit for the house; and, the proposed hydro-electric scheme for the River Derwent, which will all help move the estate towards energy self-sufficiency. Chatsworth’s work to broaden educational access and involve hard-to-reach groups in the estate was also praised.

Faith Johnson of the Peak District National Park Authority said:-

“Their knowledge and enthusiasm was really inspiring and I was really impressed with how committed they all were to looking after and investing in the local and global environment, people and communities, local businesses  and the local economy, and of course the very special places of Chatsworth and the Peak District National Park.”

The application process involved collating information from across Chatsworth, looking at how it sources products, how it supports local communities and what it does for the local and global environment. Chatsworth will hold the certificate for two years after which it will undergo another audit.

Chatsworth