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Corporate Social Responsibility
At Coworth Park, we considered corporate responsibility issues from the start; in the hotels’ design, and in the way the hotel has been managed since opening in September 2010.
An executive committee member with responsibility for corporate responsibility is already in place at Coworth Park, and is working alongside colleagues in Dorchester Collection – sharing ideas and learning from good practices.
Coworth Park provides a good illustration of how we are trying to build responsible behaviour into our operations from the outset. This commitment is evident in Coworth Park’s design, which makes it one of the most environmentally-advanced hotels of its kind.
For example, to reduce energy consumption there will be a biomass boiler within an underground energy centre, which will be fuelled by burning willow that is grown on the estate – a first for a UK hotel. The willow, with a three-year growth cycle, will ensure that the hotel is able to produce its own carbon-neutral fuel supply while cooling for the hotel will be provided by underground pipes known as ‘slinkys’ within the hotel grounds. These are significantly more efficient than conventional air-cooled or water-cooled chilled water systems.
Solar glazing is being used in the main hotel and converted stable block and all rain and surface water will be recycled by draining into the lake for re-use for irrigation. The sunken garden, dating back to the eighteenth century, will be restored to its former glory. The Spa at Coworth Park is built predominantly out of timber structures with carbon-negative lime hemp spine and external walls; it will be a green and sustainable building that emerges from the existing hillside to provide an eco-luxury Spa with low energy requirements.
Guests will be able to enjoy the ultimate luxury that Coworth Park has to offer, whilst at the same time be confident that they are helping to look after the planet in many ways.