PRESS RELEASE
Greenbox, Local politicians and business leaders join Orchard Acre Farm in celebrating a prestigious NI Environment Award
Orchard Acre Farm is at the forefront of green business and sustainable development and today celebrates winning the RTPI/RSPB Sustainable Planning Award. The award recognises buildings and planning processes that have high environmental standards. Orchard Acre Barn more than fits the bill.
The Fermanagh-based small farm business recently added an Eco Barn to its portfolio. The Barn has a function room which is bathed in natural light, a kitchen classroom with a wood burning stove that heats the whole building, and a design that boasts high levels of insulation.
Proprietor Teresa O’Hare said, “We are totally thrilled to receive this NI Award. We are a small business with big green standards. When we developed the Barn our aim was to give our guests and visitors beautiful facilities without costing the earth! For instance, we use sunlight in the conference Room, hot water from the solar panels and rain water in the toilets.”
The Barn represents a significant capital investment of over £200,000 for the Irvinestown based farm. The project was a recipient of capital funding from the Greenbox to support the eco tourism aspects of the farm business. The total grant funded 50% of the cost of building the barn. The environmental features were designed to reduce the farm's environmental 'footprint' and help minimise running costs through energy savings.
Teresa continued, “In the world of small businesses like mine, it’s about reducing costs. For Orchard Acre Farm our objectives to reduce environmental costs also helps us to save on running costs through energy efficiency, renewable energy and insulation. The people here present today at this celebration have helped me to put a business idea into reality. For the most part, this was done without compromise to our farm business’ high environmental standards. They should be just as proud as I am."
The awards panel noted the building won because of its sensitive use of vernacular architecture, hyper local building supplies which were recycled, use of renewable energy, as well as having insulation that incorporated solar panels.
Claire Ferry, Planning Officer of the RSPB, said, “This is a wonderful inspiration to us as Ms O’Hare saw the opportunity to convert an unused building and did so in an environmentally-friendly way. It goes to show that individuals do and can make a difference. The RSPB warmly congratulates her.”
Garvan Rafferty from the RTPI was equally effusive. “The Eco Barn demonstrates that environmental planning does not have to be done on a grand scale. Single buildings also make a difference – their cumulative effect is just as powerful as a ‘prestige’ project. We were impressed with the thought that was put into the redevelopment of the building,” he said. “I am really pleased that we have won the award. It means so much to us that we are able to say that the work that we have done has been recognised by organisations such as the RTPI and RSPB. We hope that this will encourage others to do the same – it benefits the local economy and the environment!” said Ms O’Hare
