It is said that in spite of the developments at Belle Isle over the years, one of the most pleasing aspects of the story is that no man, at no stage in its history, has sought to enter into unequal competition with nature.

Belle Isle Estate – Environmental Policy.

Belle Isle Limited endeavours to provide high quality holiday accommodation in Co Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The Directors are committed to address and raise awareness of the range of important environmental issues, which relate to our ongoing activities on the estate. The Directors and staff of Belle Isle Limited are determined to making a positive contribution to environmental issues and integration of these into our everyday activities. In order to achieve this we are committed to encourage staff, visitors, suppliers and external contractors to under take the following:

• Promote the reduction, reuse and recycling of waste materials in all activities to conserve resources and reduce waste disposal.

• Ensure water and energy is used efficiently in all activities.

• Strive to avoid and mitigate pollution to air, land and water from all operational activities

• Comply with the requirements of environmental legislation, statutory regulations and official codes of practice that relate to the activities Belle Isle Estate undertakes.

• Raise awareness and encourage participation in environmental matters through employee training.

• Procure goods and supplies, which follow Belle Isle Estate’s Environmental Policy and take environmental considerations into account.

• Promote environmentally favourable transport methods where possible.

• Endeavour to include, in our business plan, the continuous improvement of our environmental performance by regularly reviewing our activities, policy and by setting new targets to reduce any environmental impacts caused by our activities.

All staff will have responsibility for the management of day to day effective environmental initiatives on the estate.

Belle Isle Estate is in an Area of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Area of Conservation and an Environmentally Sensitive Area. Therefore it is only natural that we now must endeavour to work in harmony with the environment.

To this end the following actions have been undertaken on the estate recently:

• Installed a wood pellet boiler in the Castle to heat the house and hot water in 2006 and so ensuring that a percentage of Belle Isle’s energy comes from a sustainable source.

• Participated in an environmental training programme with a view to achieving the EU Eco-label (EU Flower) award in 2008.

• We have established a “Green” committee within our staff which meets regularly to discuss the environmental aspects of the business.

• 47% of our electricity comes from a renewable source provided by Airtricity thereby lowering the overall carbon footprint of our business.

• We are committed to installing low energy lighting wherever possible and are gradually converting all fittings.

• Our boilers are serviced annually and are operating at over 90% efficiency.

• Our electricity and water consumption is now monitored and annual targets set for reduction.

• All waste is weighed and recorded by our local district council and annual targets have been set for reduction.

• With the help of all who stay at Belle Isle, we will continue to try to reduce waste and recycle as much as possible

• A collection point has been set up for re-cycling and hazardous waste.

• Three containers have been built for organic waste behind the Cookery School and the compost will be reused in the gardens.

• We operate a 75% organic and local produce policy in the Cookery school, thereby reducing food miles and supporting N.Ireland farmers and small businesses.

• Wood burning stoves in all the cottages/apartments use sustainable timber cut from the estate.

• All trees on the estate are deciduous and an extensive planting programme has been undertaken over the last number of years, which will help lower our overall carbon footprint.

• A Woodland Management Scheme was granted on the 2.5 hectare “Trafalgar Wood” on Killygowan Island which was planted in 2006.

• A sightings record has been established to monitor the wild animals on the estate such as otters and badgers.

• Walking guides around the estate have been published as well as one for children, with hints on what to look out for included.

• Guests are encouraged to enjoy a car free day when they can explore the estate by foot or by boat.

Belle Isle Estate
Lisbellaw, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, BT94 5HG
Telephone +44 (0)28 6638 7231 Facsimile +44 (0)28 6638 7261
Email accommodation@fermanagh-cottages.com