Hill View House B & B Accommodation, Dartmouth

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

Mission Statement

"Hill View House is fully committed to caring for the environment and to maximising visitor enjoyment and comfort during their stay in Dartmouth".

Quality products Meeting market expectations through environmental improvements

  • Hill View House's co-ordinators for environmental improvements are Jonathan Hammond (sole proprietor) and Suzanne White (manager).
 

Energy and water

  • Hill View House has a monitoring system in place to maintain low levels of energy consumption
  • Hill View House has identified from commencement of trading internal and external light bulbs suitable for low energy, long life usage.
  • Hill View House has installed a new central heating system, incorporating a modern efficient gas boiler and individual radiator thermostats for all rooms. Regular ongoing servicing and maintenance of the boiler and the central heating system will be carried out by a corgi approved heating engineer and the heating thermostat will be checked at different times of the year to ensure that it is set at the appropriate level.
  • Hill View House has reinstated sash windows to both the front and rear elevations of the property using a combination of traditional materials and modern double-glazing and has insulated the loft.
  • Hill View House uses either A rated or the most efficient new appliances available in the kitchen for cooking, washing and chilling.
  • Hill View House is committed to saving water. All guests are offered full ensuite non power shower facilities together with the most advanced Scandinavian water-saving toilets currently available which have an integrated close-coupled cistern with a dual-action flush releasing either four litres of water for a full flush or two and half litres for a half flush.
  • Hill View House has a towel policy and encourages all guests to leave dirty towels only in the shower cubicle/bath for washing.
  • Hill View House minimises the use of the business vehicle as far as possible and combines trips with other purposes. In addition, home deliveries of products via local suppliers where available are arranged.
Purchasing
  • Hill View House buys recycled paper where possible for headed notepaper, invoices, business cards, toilet rolls etc.
  • Hill View House where possible avoids purchasing products with unnecessary packaging. In particular, bulk purchases of leaf tea, butter and liquid soap/shampoo are made for use/storage in metal canisters, small butter dishes and hand pump dispensers respectively.
  • Hill View House uses only environmentally friendly cleaning materials and magnetic products for the washing machine and dishwasher.
  • Hill View House purchases phosphate free liquid soap and shampoo.
  • Hill View House supports the local economy by sourcing products from local suppliers and where possible selects organic produce.
  • Hill View House cuts down pollution by running a small lead-free motor car and ensures the vehicle is serviced at the manufacturer’s recommended intervals.
  • Hill View House is a member of the South Hams Green Tourism Business Scheme and regularly attends meetings of the South Hams Green Business Club.
Waste
  • Hill View House has a monitoring scheme in place to reduce the amount of waste collection.
  • Hill View House compresses all plastic bottles before disposal.
  • Hill View House reuses both old envelopes where suitable and scrap paper for note pads, office tasks etc.
  • Hill View House recycles glass and cardboard.
  • Hill View House protects the water system from harmful waste discharges by using environmentally friendly cleaning materials and magnetic products.
Customer Experience Maximising visitor enjoyment
  • Hill View House devotes a whole page to its environmental policy on the Hill View House website.
  • Hill View House promotes its environmental credentials in the Hill View House brochure.
  • Hill View House welcomes any suggestions about how its environmental performance can be further improved and any comments where it is felt that the environmental policy is not being fully adhered to.
  • Hill View House supplies maps and timetables to all guests and further encourages walking and use of public transport by offering a five per cent reduction all year round to walkers, ramblers associations, cyclists and guests leaving their car at home
  • Hill View House offers secure parking for cyclists.
  • Hill View House operates a reduced nightly tariff for short breaks taken during both the high and low season.
  • Hill View House raises funds for the restoration of the local South Hams green lanes by making a fixed voluntary contribution based on it’s occupancy levels, a donation box at the reception desk and via the sale of the book ‘Exploring Green Lanes in The South Hams’
  • Hill View House has a green notice board in the entrance providing details of local green attractions, environmental issues etc.
  • Hill View House operates a no smoking policy throughout.
  • Hill View House uses plants in all rooms
  • Hill View House caters for all diets including vegetarian and gluten free.
  • Hill View House offers local food and drinks and where possible organic produce. · Hill View House uses herbs cut from its own herb garden.
  • Hill View House ensures that radiator thermostats are working properly.
Health
  • Hill View House places great importance on promoting wellness and maximising customer comfort and enjoyment.
  • Hill View House has used wallpapers and wall tiles in the lounge, bedrooms and entrance area made from naturally processed hemp. These finishes are produced in large quantities on a farm for direct shipping to the paper mill, as opposed to pulp from slow-growing trees which require expensive harvesting and high-energy mechanical processing.
  • Hill View House has applied completely solvent and odour free paints throughout the whole of the interior
  • Hill View House has laid naturally anti-static, untreated wool carpeting in all the bedrooms. These carpets contain no man made fibres and are completely environmentally friendly. A base of linen and cotton mix, rather than synthetic materials is used in the making of these particular carpets, and the jute backing is attached with 100% natural latex, rather than synthetic latex
  • Hill View House has laid sisal in the lounge, hallway, stairs and landings. This flooring has a 100% natural jute backing and contains absolutely no input of pesticides or fertilizers in its cultivation.
  • Hill View House has laid untreated cork flooring with a water diluteable and 100% solvent free liquid waxed finish in all bathroom ensuite areas.
  • Hill View House has waxed the stripped wooden floor in the dining room with an environmentally friendly finish.
  • Hill View House has used wooden Venetian blinds obtained from sustainable sources and roller blinds made from cotton.
  • Hill View House has where possible chosen new and recycled furniture made from wood, twisted paper, leather and other natural materials.
  • Hill View House uses only natural cotton, dust mite free and non allergenic bedding.
  • Hill View House offers upon request an alternative sleep system, when available, incorporating magnetic and far-infrared technology for a different sleep experience. (Please note however this is not suitable for pregnant women and people with pacemakers).

Green Attractions

PUBLIC TRANSPORT/HOTLINE NUMBERS

Traveline
Tel: 0870 608 2 608.
For all public transport enquiries in South West England. (0700 - 2100 364 days a year).

National Rail Enquiry Service
Tel: 0845 7 48 49 50.
Minicom: 0845 60 50 600
Open 24 hours/day for both local and national rail service giving both advanced timetable and fare information.

Customer Services
Tel: 0845 600 1420.
For general information on First bus services (0700-2100 daily)
Tel: 01752 40 20 60.
For information on First bus fares and tickets and for bus lost property enquiries (0900-1600 Monday to Friday)
Tel: 0845 700 0125.
For rail bookings (0700-2200 Monday to Friday, 0800-1900 Saturday and Sunday).
Tel: 0845 600 5604.
For information about First Great Western services (not timetable and fares information) (0700-2200 Monday to Friday, 0700-2100 Saturday and Sunday)

National Express Coach Enquiry Service
Tel: 08705 808080.
Minicom: 0121 455 0086
Tel (special needs): 0121 423 8479
This is open most hours when people are likely to travel and is based in Birmingham with a staff of 450.

Tripscope Enquiry Service
Tel: 0845 7 585641
Phone and mincom Helpline for elderly and disabled people, giving advice and information about most aspects of transport for people whatever their disability.

Devon Car Share
Tel: 0870 11 11 99
For people wanting to use the car share network for 'old' Devon but without access to the Internet.

Dartmouth Tourist Information Centre
Tel: 01803 834224
Coach and train tickets can be purchased at the Tourist Information Centre

Ferry Services in the South Hams Bigbury on Sea to Bantham.
Tel: 01548 561196
Dartmouth to Kingswear. Tel: 01803 752342
Salcombe to East Portlemouth. Tel: 01548 842364
Wembury to Noss Mayo. Tel: 01752 880079

Free Bus Service to Marks & Spencer Torbay
Information Hotline: 01803 664500

Dartmoor Sunday Rover Ticket
Tel: 01392 382800 (0900-1700 Monday to Friday)