Discovery Accommodation - Discovering solar efficiency

Discovery Accommodation offers a range of luxury self-catering accommodation in Whitby. After purchasing a plot of nearby land for future growth of the company, owner Graham Collinson decided to build seven new timber-framed apartments and a swimming pool, ensuring it was environmentally friendly throughout. Graham undertook research on the Internet to find out about renewable energy grants. A heat pump manufacturer who he was in contact with recommended that he made contact with York and North Yorkshire Business Environmental Forum (BEF). Graham comments: "Working in the leisure industry, the comfort and satisfaction of our customers is paramount. I have always been against the use of gas in rental properties so I needed to find an alternative source of energy for our new accommodation. Environmental efficiency is a big issue these days so I thought it was vital that I look into more efficient uses of fuel.

Graham Collinson, owner of Discovery Accommodation shows his solar panels.

"When I got in contact with BEF they helped me to access funding for solar panels and an air source heat pump that would help with the running of the swimming pool and nearby accommodation. Their advice and support helped the project to run smoothly."

BEF's business environmental coordinator Ruth Collins says: "The leisure and accommodation industry has a big impact on the environment through the fuel it uses in providing for the public. Discovery Accommodation is now demonstrating how luxury, modern accommodation can be provided, without impacting greatly on the environment."

BEF provided Renewable Energy grant funding through the 'exploiting the advantages of environmental technologies' scheme. The grant scheme enabled eligible businesses to access up to £4000 of match funding to purchase and install renewable energy technologies, including solar panels, photovoltaics, geothermal, wind and water power, fuel cells and energy crops.

The BEF funding programme is supported by the European Regional Development Fund and Yorkshire Forward, and is managed by Business Link York and North Yorkshire.