The original target was to ‘minimise disruption to our local communities’, focusing on traffic management and delivering better car parking facilities. Since then, we have decided to adapt our community-linked target to ensure it reflects our desire to have a positive impact on those around us.
The focus now is on improving the quality of life and wellbeing of our local communities. We will do this by:
- Providing green spaces everyone can access, while endeavouring to make more space for nature;
- Minimising congestion and supporting access to those green spaces by bus or bike;
- Increasing our support and charitable contributions within our communities.
In 2023, charitable giving by the Devonshire Group amounted to £380,000. This includes donating items, tickets and money, as well as grants provided by the Duke of Devonshire’s Charitable Trust.
We also support charitable organisations in other ways, by hosting fundraising activities and donating prizes for raffles and fairs. Where fees are charged, they are heavily discounted, allowing more money to go to good causes. This enabled support helped charities to raise £677,000 in 2023.
Across the organisation, colleagues work hard to protect and enhance our natural assets, managing the land responsibly and creating opportunities for landscape engagement. This covers a wide range of work, from maintaining footpaths and controlling invasive species, to developing learning resources and creating opportunities for nature-based activities.
Continue reading about our 10 goals for 10 years...
Help create 1000 homes and 1000 jobs in the local area
By investing in the regeneration of areas around our estates
Double the benefit to local economies from our organisations
As measured by the value of the direct and indirect goods and services we buy
Buy at least 50% of our supplies and services locally
Within 30 miles by road of our estates
Invest £50m in our heritage properties and landscapes
Specifically in their repair, restoration, improvement and development
Enable every child in local schools to experience our estates
As part of their primary education, reaching every school through physical visits onsite or our virtual presence in schools
Achieve excellence in our visitor feedback scores
By scoring 90%+ for value for money, overall enjoyment and likelihood to recommend, in our customer feedback surveys
Be recognised as an excellent employer
Achieving scores of 80%+ for all measures of satisfaction and engagement in our staff and volunteer survey
Create 500 work opportunities for those in and just out of education
Working with local education and training providers to create these opportunities to benefit young people
Reduce our impact on the environment
Through improved management of waste and emissions
