Sustainability is one of our four pillars alongside Wellness, Buy Local, and Support the Local Community.
This policy explains how we run The Retreat at Little Oaks so every stay gives back to people and place.
It is grounded in our One Planet Living roadmap (a simple 10 principle framework by Bioregional for operating within the limits of One Planet) and reviewed every 12 months. It is purposely ambitious rather than a tick box exercise, rooted in the way we have tried to live as sustainably as possible long before founding the Retreat.
As we build, we have one opportunity to get things right for planet and people, so we choose higher standards now rather than retrofitting later.
This keeps us accountable to real reductions in energy, water, waste and travel impacts.
Now: This policy applies to guest operations, facilities, woodland management, procurement, build projects and future accommodation.
A sustainability lead oversees delivery and completes an internal review once a year. We follow recognised hospitality good practice and keep everything in plain language for guests and neighbours. Clear ownership and a predictable yearly review turn intentions into real reductions in energy, water and waste.
Next: We will publish an annual two-page Impact Note on our website with results and priorities for the coming year.
Public reporting keeps improvements moving season after season.
Now: We are members of the Organisation for Responsible Business and Brecon Beacons Tourism. We have completed ORB’s 6 week Facilitated ESG and Responsible Business Course. We receive practical advice from Torfaen County Borough Council’s Nature and Decarbonisation teams, and we work with Positive Impacts to strengthen our sustainability policy, plans and reporting. Credible standards and expert input sharpen actions that reduce carbon and protect habitats.
Next: We will work toward ORB’s Responsible Business Standard and Social Value certifications and map our progress to widely recognised sustainability frameworks, so our approach is easy to understand from the outside. We will also work toward Green Tourism certification, using its criteria to guide improvements and provide independent verification. We will assess and prepare for B Corp certification as our ultimate accreditation goal and will reflect readiness steps in our annual Impact Note.
Independent assessment lifts performance and cuts greenwash.
Now: Our existing solar array produces home generated green electricity that powers the air source heat pump for the pool and supplies other parts of the retreat. This setup lowers our footprint while keeping guest comfort high by cutting reliance on fossil energy.
Next: We will add additional solar PV and batteries to help the Retreat at Little Oaks become totally off grid. We will also introduce ECO-POWR fitness machines so guest workouts feed electricity back into our energy ecosystem, making fitness, wellness and movement part of our energy story.
On site renewables and energy recovery reduce grid demand and emissions.
Now: We design for careful use and safe reuse where practical. We already use harvested rainwater for the swimming pool, the ice bath and to water planting across the site. The outdoor pool is treated using UV and sand filtration supported by a non-chlorine shock treatment, with no chlorine added. Guests experience clean, comfortable water without reliance on chlorine-based chemicals, and we maintain quality through regular testing and good pool management. Rainwater reuse reduces mains extraction and treatment, and avoiding chlorine lowers chemical production impacts.
Next: We will expand rainwater capture and reuse for suitable non potable tasks and review opportunities to reduce water intensity as our facilities grow.
Higher reuse means a lower water footprint and less energy tied to water.
Now: We treat our ancient semi natural woodland as a living asset and are limiting interventions while we plan enhancements with the TCBC’s Nature Team and Gwent Wildlife Trust. Our focus is understanding the site well and sequencing any works in the right seasons so wildlife is not disturbed. This protects habitats today and avoids unnecessary emissions from rework.
Next: We will plant native hedgerows, install bird and bat boxes in suitable locations, and design any new paths and decked areas to avoid fragmentation, protect root zones, and keep wildlife corridors open so guests can enjoy the woodland as it thrives. Where foundations are needed we will use light touch methods, and we will seek Local Wildlife Site status. We will also host seasonal citizen science and habitat sessions with guests and a local primary school so more people can take part in caring for this place.
Better habitat quality and community stewardship support species recovery and long-term carbon storage.
Now: We separate waste on site for general, paper and card, plastics and metals, glass and food. We choose refill, repair and reuse over single use wherever quality allows. We also use digital guest books and guides rather than printed folders, which cuts paper, keeps information current and reduces waste. Less virgin material and less landfill mean lower emissions and less pressure on habitats.
Next: We will extend refills across more guest amenities and back of house supplies and review waste contractor data regularly to spot reduction opportunities and act on them.
Higher reuse rates lower extraction, manufacturing and transport impacts.
Now: We buy local where quality allows and prefer suppliers who can demonstrate credible sustainability practice. We deliberately reduce transport, food and wine miles by sourcing from nearby producers. Current examples include Welsh meats from a local butcher just 4 miles away, spirits from Welsh B Corp producer Barti Rum, wines from White Castle Vineyard (about 13 miles from the Retreat), and spirits from Barry Island Spirits Co. Where possible, we work with suppliers that have strong sustainability policies themselves.
All wines and spirits we sell are award winning and Welsh. We prioritise durable materials and long life equipment so purchases last and maintenance is straightforward. Shorter supply chains, stronger supplier practices, fresher products and longer lasting kit reduce upstream emissions and waste and keep more of every pound in the local economy.
Next: We will share the percentage of our local spend by value each year and aim to increase it over time as more Welsh suppliers come on stream. For context, a bottle of wine from White Castle travels around 13 miles to reach us compared with a Shiraz from Australia at roughly 10,000 miles, a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand at roughly 11,200 miles, or a Chardonnay from Burgundy at roughly 630 miles.
Shifting spend locally lowers transport impacts, improves freshness and provenance, and supports circular regional economies.
Now: We encourage lower carbon travel by offering arrival incentives for guests using electric vehicles or public transport. This complements the Retreat’s easy links to local heritage and nature. Cleaner travel to and from the Retreat reduces overall trip emissions.
Next: We will add on site EV charging and provide e bikes so local journeys can be made easily without a car. Enabling electric and active travel further cuts transport carbon.
Now: We design spaces and Wellness treatments that help people rest and recover (heat, cold, water, movement and time in nature). Our team completes industry training delivered via one of our OTA partners and from Business Wales so hosting is consistently warm, respectful and inclusive to all, regardless of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, or marital or civil partnership status.
We are also advised by an independent accessibility advisor from our local community to improve information and access as we grow. Inclusive, high quality stays encourage longer use of well-made facilities, which reduces churn and waste and strengthens community support for nature projects.
Next: We will publish an accessibility guide and update it yearly as facilities expand so guests can plan their stay with confidence. Better information reduces unnecessary journeys and enables more people to choose low impact activities on site.
Now: We support our community by buying locally, showcasing Welsh producers and sharing our space for appropriate community activity by arrangement. We have developed our Living Classroom project to connect children with woodland habitats and practical nature care. Choosing local food and drink cuts transport emissions, improves freshness and provenance, and keeps more of each pound in the community.
Next: We will partner with a local primary school to deliver the Living Classroom on site, with seasonal sessions that combine habitat care [for example hedgerow and woodland tasks] and simple nature monitoring for children. We will report each year on the time we give to community activity, the number of local suppliers we support and our local spend by value. We will also offer seasonal guest volunteering linked to woodland care so visitors can contribute to the place they enjoy.
Now: We communicate progress in plain language on our website and in guest communications so everyone can see what we are doing and why. Clear communication builds trust and participation in low impact choices.
Next: We will publish an annual two-page Impact Note with the year’s highlights and clear priorities for the next season, including updates on our Green Tourism certification progress and B Corp readiness. We will report what went well, what fell short, and what we will change next, so ambition stays honest and useful.
Date: 1st November 2025
Signed: Andy Parfitt Jones
Sustainability Lead, The Retreat at Little Oaks