Chatsworth Estate receives Peak District environmental seal of approval

Chatsworth Estate has been awarded the Peak District Environmental Quality Mark (PDEQM) by the Peak District National Park for its sustainable ways of working.

The PDEQM is only presented to businesses that actively support the local economy, protect and enhance the local environment, invest in people and communities, and celebrate what’s special about the Peak District National Park.

The PDEQM label gives customers confidence that their purchases are helping to look after the Peak District environment, as well as support local people and communities.

The independent awards panel, which judges applications according to strict criteria, praised the Devonshire Group, which operates the Chatsworth Estate, for its approach to sustainable land management, transport for visitors and employees and the introduction and use of renewables.

PDEQM director Faith Johnson said: “We are delighted to welcome Chatsworth into the scheme. It is exciting to have such a prominent and diverse business on board; it’s by far the largest business in the scheme and its comprehensive and detailed application shows a real commitment to sustainability across its many operational areas.”

Charlotte Leech Assistant Land Agent at the Devonshire Group said: “The Devonshire Group are thrilled to have been awarded the Peak District Environmental Quality Mark. As a group we work hard to contribute to local communities, and operate in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way and it is fantastic to be recognised with the Environmental Quality Mark. One of our core values is to be ground breaking in what we do and I’m pleased to say that we have several projects and initiatives in the pipeline for the coming year including a hydro scheme on the river Derwent.”

The Peak District Environmental Quality Mark, and its sister scheme in Staffordshire, have over 80 award-holding businesses, who all share the same ethos of energy and waste reduction, combined with sustainable development and conservation of the local area.