Case study detail
Orchard Acre Barn
Orchard Acre Barn
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Sustainable Development Commission
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Winner – RTPI/RSPB Sustainable Planning Awards 2009 – Rural Areas and Natural Environment
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Overview
Orchard Acre Barn is located on a small farm in Fermanagh near Irvinestown. The farm produces herbs, fruit and salads for the restaurant trade and direct sales at the farm gate. It also hosts seminars and events around eco-tourism, gourmet food, and even weddings.
The barn has replaced dilapidated outhouses and has been designed to incorporate solar panels and high levels of insulation and has made use of recycled stone, timber, and zinc from the old buildings. Beyond this however, materials, skills and services were all sourced locally. Cement, sand, gravel and timber all came from within a twenty mile radius, contractors were all local and, where possible, building elements were fabricated locally.
Sustainable development principles are at the heart of the design, construction, and current use of the barn. It has many environmental features which reduce the use of fossil fuels, minimise waste, capture renewable energy, and are aesthetically pleasing due to the use of recycled local stone for the gable wall.
The barn’s sustainable credentials do not stop there – it provides positive social economic and environmental benefits to the local community, including employment opportunities and locally sourced produce for the local market. It also runs a number of educational activities including a year round programme of activity based learning on the theme of sustainable lifestyles. The barn is a living, breathing example of good sustainable planning and sustainable engagement in a rural setting. It was a worthy winner of the 2009 Sustainable Planning Award in its category, in which the Sustainable Development Commission was pleased to be part of the judging panel.
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land use
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