Eco-conscious Devon park drives up electric fleet

Ladram Bay Holiday Park in Devon has struck another blow against engine noise and air pollution by expanding its fleet of all-electric transport.

The family-run park, winner of the David Bellamy Conservation Award, has swapped two more of its fossil fuel vehicles in favour of the latest green technology. It brings to four the number of electric run-arounds in use at Ladram Bay in Budleigh Salterton, and at its sister-park Castle Brake in Woodbury, near Exeter. Plans have also been announced for electric charging points to be installed at Ladram Bay so that customers don't suffer from "range anxiety" during their stays.

The move is the latest in a bid by Ladram Bay to become one of the UK's most sustainable holiday parks where guests can enjoy their stays with a clear conscience. Recently, the park announced plans to spend around £300,000 this year on a state-of-the-art solar energy system across various buildings in its grounds. Energy experts forecast that after the work is completed next month, Ladram Bay will be preventing a massive 171 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually from entering the atmosphere.

Ladram Bay director Zoe House, whose family has owned the park since 1943, said that the business's additional commitment to electric vehicles was a logical next step: "Our team need to make a lot of stop-start journeys around Ladram Bay and Castle Brake, and this isn't an efficient use of petrol and diesel vehicles," she said. "We were also concerned about the noise they created, and the effect of the engine emissions on our wildlife as well as the atmosphere generally."

Meanwhile, Ladram Bay is awaiting with excitement next month's South West Tourism Excellence awards in which it is a finalist in the Holiday Park of the Year category. The park reached the finals after taking the top gold award last autumn in the Devon Tourism Awards, and was described by judges as "a true leader of holiday parks in the South West."

Ladram Bay provides a wide range of luxury holiday caravans and holiday lodges to rent or own, glamping pods, and pitches for touring caravans, motorhomes and tents. As well as outstanding sea views and private beach, guests have use of many attractions such as an indoor climbing, swimming pool and splash zone, and adventure golf course. There's also a restaurant and take-away, a beach-side shack where watersports equipment can be hired, and first-class day and evening family entertainment.