Northern Ireland company Patton Heritage (part of the Patton Group) has won a Green Apple Environment Award for its restoration project at Lowther Castle, Cumbria, in the Lake District.

The Ballymena-based company has been selected from over 500 nominations in the national campaign to find Britain's greenest companies.

The award-winning contractor was appointed to manage the extensive ongoing restoration project at Lowther which consists of the major refurbishment of the large Grade II listed castle and its outbuildings.

The scheme is also a CEEQUAL (Civil Engineering Environmental Quality Assessment & Award Scheme) project and is a registered Considerate Site Constructor Scheme Site.

"Using the three pillars of sustainability - social, environmental and economic - the project is already showing real added benefits in all three areas and this will continue to increase as the development progresses," said Liam McEvoy, Patton Group Environmental and Waste Manager.

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"We are committed to building long-term, sustainable client partnerships by going the extra mile to maximise added value and through the Lowther Castle project we aim to deliver high sustainable benefits to the local and wider communities and environment.”

Examples of best practice sustainability on the Lowther Castle project include completing 11 apprenticeships through local schools and colleges as well as providing opportunities for those out of work long term and running training courses for volunteers interested in learning more about the skills being used to restore the castle.

It also covered greening the supply chain to increase the use of responsibly sourced materials and the use of renewable technology within the restoration project, which includes eco site accommodation and ensuring the protection and enhancement of the wildlife and natural environment by achieving a target of 95% waste diverted from landfill.

In addition to the Green Apple Awards, the Lowther Castle project has been highlighted as an outstanding project within the national Considerate Constructors Scheme.

"This is an exceptionally well-run and unique project," said Tony Lawson of the Considerate Constructors Scheme.

"The contractor's commitment to maintaining high standards in all parts of the contract is apparent from the moment the site comes in view."

As a result of its success in the Green Apple Awards, Patton Heritage has been invited to have its winning paper published in The Green Book, the leading international work of reference on environmental best practice, so that others around the world can follow the company's example and learn from its experience.

(GK/BMcC)