Penrhadw Farm sits within a nationally important landscape, and our plans are shaped by the belief that hospitality and nature recovery should go hand in hand. Our environmental strategy is designed to be practical, measurable and rooted in place — balancing sensitive design with long-term land stewardship across the buildings, gardens and wider 20 acres.

● Restore and re-use the existing farmstead where possible

● Reduce energy demand through efficient design and materials

● Deliver meaningful green infrastructure and habitat connectivity

● Manage water naturally through landscape-led drainage solutions

We see this as a long-term commitment. With the right planning outcome and careful delivery, Penrhadw will become a small, low-impact destination that strengthens the ecological and scenic value of the Taf Fechan valley.

Green Infrastructure is the framework that connects every part of Penrhadw — from the farmhouse gardens to the wider meadows and hedgerow boundaries. Our aim is to develop a habitat with richer, layered landscapes that support wildlife, improve resilience and enhance the experience of the site for guests and local visitors.

● Strengthen and extend native hedgerows across key edges

● Create wildflower and pollinator-rich meadow areas

● Add woodland-edge planting and new native trees

● Integrate habitat-friendly gardens around the farmstead

Alongside our decorative landscaping, our priority will be a biodiversity nature-net-positive masterplan intended to mature over time, increasing ecological quality and reinforcing the National Park character through locally appropriate planting and long-term maintenance.

Water shapes this valley, and climate resilience needs to be designed in from the start. Our approach is to manage rainfall where it falls, slow runoff, and integrate drainage into the landscape so it feels natural, attractive and ecologically supportive — rather than engineered as a separate system.

● Use permeable and gravel surfaces where appropriate

● Introduce rain gardens, swales and shallow planting basins

● Direct roof and hardstanding runoff into natural features

● Support infiltration and water quality improvement where feasible

By combining SuDS with planting and habitat creation, we can improve biodiversity and landscape character while reducing flood risk and enhancing the long-term environmental performance of the entire site.

Water shapes this valley, and climate resilience needs to be designed in from the start. Our approach is to manage rainfall where it falls, slow runoff, and integrate drainage into the landscape so it feels natural, attractive and ecologically supportive — rather than engineered as a separate system.

● Use permeable and gravel surfaces where appropriate

● Introduce rain gardens, swales and shallow planting basins

● Direct roof and hardstanding runoff into natural features

● Support infiltration and water quality improvement where feasible

By combining SuDS with planting and habitat creation, we can improve biodiversity and landscape character while reducing flood risk and enhancing the long-term environmental performance of the entire site.

Our priority is to reduce energy demand first, then meet remaining needs through efficient, lower-carbon systems. The design of the hotel, restaurant and shared spaces will aim to balance comfort, heritage sensitivity and a modern environmental standard appropriate to a National Park setting.

● High-performance building fabric to reduce heat loss

● Efficient heating strategies, including heat pump options

● Smart controls to optimise energy use across seasons

● Low-energy lighting and careful servicing design

This approach allows Penrhadw to function year-round without relying on excessive energy consumption. The goal is quiet, comfortable, modern hospitality that aligns with the wider sustainability ambitions of the site.

On-site renewable energy will be an important contributor to running Penrhadw responsibly. We are exploring solar solutions that respect the character of the farmstead and minimise visual impact, while still delivering meaningful operational benefits.

● Discreet, low-profile or in-roof solar opportunities

● Layouts designed to protect views and setting

● Potential battery storage to smooth demand and supply

● Integration with wider energy management strategies

The intention is a practical, sensitive, renewable approach: helping reduce operational carbon without introducing intrusive structures, and reinforcing the idea that good design and environmental responsibility can sit comfortably together.

Environmental responsibility includes how people arrive and move through the landscape. Our proposals aim to support cleaner transport while protecting the tranquillity and dark-sky qualities that make Pontsticill and the wider valley so special.

● EV charging integrated into the parking strategy

● Safer walking links between parking and the farmstead

● Future-facing support for public transport ambitions

● Low-level lighting designed to reduce spill and glare

By combining sustainable travel measures with careful lighting design, we can improve the visitor experience, support wildlife and preserve the quiet rural night-time character that residents rightly value.Description goes here