SUSTAINABILITY
The College is privileged to be the custodian of some of the finest landholdings , historic buildings and priceless artefacts in the UK , and prioritises the preservation , maintenance and enhancement of its natural and man-made assets .
Much of the land cared for by the school is either a public access area , Site of Special Scientific Interest ( SSSI ) or Special Area of Conservation . The Fallodon Nature Reserve is an SSSI and the River Itchen , of which the College manages a 4.5 mile stretch , is a Special Area of Conservation . St . Catherine ’ s Hill is a public access area and is leased to the Hampshire Wildlife Trust . The College also provides access rights over its land via a cycle track which links the south of the city to Hockley and Twyford . Additionally , the grounds and rivers teams look after 11 acres of formal gardens , 100 acres of ancient water meadows and 52 acres of playing fields .
Many of our natural assets are open to the public at no cost , to the extent possible within our responsibility as a school . They are enjoyed by approximately 100,000 visitors annually and support Winchester ’ s tourism offer .
Biodiversity and Carbon Reduction The 250 acres of the College ’ s grounds include diverse ecosystems and unique native species which require careful oversight . Both through its own Estates Team and partnerships with other charitable organisations , the College ensures that biodiversity underpins its approach to land management .
In parallel , the College is committed to reducing its carbon footprint . Gas consumption has been reduced by 33 % over the last four years . 100 % of electricity used is now derived from renewable sources . There is also a focus on sourcing more food locally and reducing waste ( including through contractors and suppliers ).
In 2022 we engaged Chartwells as our catering partners . We have greatly improved the tracking of food waste and are launching a series of initiatives to manage it down , from menu planning and meal attendance registration to improved meal acceptance and dining service . Their introduction is focused on delivery of varied , quality provision on a consistent basis for all .
24 | Winchester College - Annual Report 2023