Our future strategy
Halifax Estates play a key role in the management and conservation of the local environment. We aim to create a resilient and sustainable business capable of weathering the climatic and economical challenges ahead. To achieve this, sustainability and conservation lie at the heart of our plans.
Carbon reduction
Net zero is where the amount of greenhouse gas created by activity is equal to the amount removed from the atmosphere. The Estates are working towards this neutrality, sourcing materials locally as well as other initiatives. These include renewable energy, improving energy efficiency and planting new trees.
Earth and fire
Since 2014, Halifax Estates have installed several renewable energy systems. Three systems supply multiple properties. Another five single properties have their own individual systems.
They include two biomass boilers burning wood pellets sourced from accredited suppliers. Three developments use underground pipework to convert latent heat in the ground. These provide heating and hot water to the connected properties.
With more than 1,650 acres of managed forestry, Halifax Estates have access to a 100% renewable fuel source. Some of our softwood is sold to manufacture biomass wood pellets. The majority of hardwood timber from thinnings and clearfells is converted into firewood. Find out more in Garrowby Estate – Forestry.
Sun and wind
A 30kW solar array installed on the Garrowby Estate's Joiners Shop roof in 2015 powers the workshop and firewood processing machine. Any surplus electricity is exported to the National Grid.
In South Yorkshire, a renewables company leases land and access roads for the Penny Hill Wind Farm near Ulley. This 10.2MW wind farm produces enough electricity for 12,000 homes. The company also contributes towards a local community fund. The land around the turbines is farmed by a tenant of Halifax Estates.
A more sustainable future
The Estates continue to improve the insulation in residential properties, as well as install renewable heating technologies.
Where suitable, we are open to commercial scale renewable energy and battery storage site proposals.
From the ground up
800 acres of the Garrowby Estate is farmed in-hand by Lord Irwin trading as Garrowby Farm. Regenerative farming practices are helping to make farmed land more resilient to climate change.
Boosting soil health
'Min-till' (minimum tillage) has been proven to reduce the cost of establishing crops and to improve soil health. Sowing winter crops also reduces the loss of topsoil from erosion and nutrient run-off.
Maximising biodiversity
Encouraging flora and fauna is vital for a healthy eco system. We are therefore:
- Sowing winter bird feed for native birds, flower rich margins at field edges and nectar flower mixes to help pollinators
- Establishing nesting plots for lapwing and curlew
- Managing hedgerows to encourage wildlife
A circle of crops
Garrowby Farm has adopted a crop rotation to continuously cover the soil and improve soil structure. It includes a four year ley of a late perennial grass mix with clover or lucerne. An added benefit is the high quality grazing and silage for winter feed.
After harvest, fields are sown with winter wheat or winter barley. Turnips are another crop, grazed by lambs over the autumn and winter months.
Reducing carbon hoofprints
The renowned Garrowby herd of Limousin cattle need high quality feed. Feeding livestock with more home-grown forage helps to reduce the carbon footprint of the farm.
Well-managed grazing stimulates living soils and nutrient cycling, maintaining bacterial and fungal balances in soil. By avoiding over-grazing, perennial crops establish a deeper and broader root system, drawing more CO2 from the air.
Going against the flow
To maintain water quality, we aim to control surface run-off into streams and rivers. Drainage work alleviates water-logging issues. We also work with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to improve beneficial watercourse habitats.
Strategic development
Some land areas owned by the Estate may be considered suitable for development for non-agricultural use, such as residential purposes.
Depending on their size and location, these sites may be promoted for allocation for housing in a Local Plan. Alternatively, if the parcel is within the development limit of a settlement, then a specific planning application may be made.
The largest site of this nature currently being promoted is Langwith Garden Village, south of York, a proposal to build 3,300 homes on land partly owned by Halifax Estates. This development would contribute significantly to alleviating York's housing shortage over the next 20-30 years.
Sometimes other development opportunities arise to convert buildings no longer suitable for agricultural production into residential or commercial use. More often than not, the Estate carries out this work in-house. We then retain the conversion as a valuable addition to the portfolio of residential or commercial assets.
