ECO TOWN TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  1. Introduction
     These Terms and Conditions
    1. These terms and conditions (Terms) contain key information and obligations in relation to the ‘Eco Town’ guided educational experience (Eco Town) that is provided by Lancashire Renewables Limited in conjunction with Lancashire County Council.
    2. References to the Contract in these Terms shall be to the legally binding contract that is formed between you and us in accordance with clause 2.5.
    3. Please read these Terms carefully and make sure that you understand them.
    4. When the words “written” or “in writing” are used in these Terms, this includes emails.

      5. Who We Are

    5. We are Lancashire Renewables Limited (we, us, our), a private limited company under the control of Lancashire County Council. We are incorporated in England and Wales with company number 05881147 and our registered office is at County Hall, Lancashire County Council, Democratic Services Department, Preston, Lancashire, England PR1 0LD.
    6. Eco Town is an educational visitor experience located at Farington Waste Recovery Park, Sustainability Way, Leyland PR26 6TB, operated by us and Lancashire County Council.
    7. You can contact us in relation to Eco Town or these Terms in one of the following ways:
      • email: eco.town@lancashirerenewables.co.uk;
      • telephone: 01772 642880; or
      • by post to our head office at: Environmental Education Centre, Lancashire Renewables Limited, Enterprise Business Park, Lancashire, Sustainability Way, Leyland PR26 6TB.
    8. We will contact you using the email address and/or telephone number that you have provided to us.

      9. Status as a business (including educational organisations) or a consumer

    9. Businesses are individuals or entities that act in connection with their trade, business, craft or profession, and include schools and educational institutions (and individuals acting on behalf of schools and educational institutions). Consumers are individuals that act wholly or mainly outside of their trade, business, craft or profession. Under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Charges) Regulations 2013, Consumer Rights Act 2015 and associated legislation, consumers have enhanced legal rights.
    10. The majority of these Terms apply to both businesses and consumers, however some elements apply solely to businesses and some elements apply solely to consumers. Where this is the case, a clear indication will be made.
    11. Where you are entering into the Contract as a business (including a school or other educational entity, organisation or institution), you acknowledge and agree that you have the authority to bind such entity, organisation or institution on whose behalf you submit a Booking Request (as defined below).

      12. Other Terms that Apply

    12. There are other terms that may apply in connection with your attendance at Eco Town:
      • our Privacy Policy, setting out how we will process your personal data, which is available at /privacy-policy/;
      • our Cookie Policy, setting out how we use cookies on our Website, available at cookie-policy/; and
      • any further applicable terms and conditions that we notify you of from time to time that may apply to your attendance at Eco Town or use of the designated booking system.
  2. The Contract – Special attention is drawn to this clause
    1. We offer Eco Town as a free-of-charge experience in consideration of your (and your Group’s, as defined below) agreement to the provisions of these Terms.
    2. Where you or your organisation wishes to attend Eco Town, you must submit a booking request via the designated booking system on our Website (each a Booking Request). Booking Requests made by third parties on your behalf will not be accepted.
    3. By submitting a Booking Request, you agree to provide full, complete and accurate information regarding:
      • (a) your name, email address and telephone number;
      • your preferred date and time to attend Eco Town;
      • the anticipated number of attendees at Eco Town (collectively, Participants), including the number of children in each age group and the number of supervising adults (with each supervising adult being a Group Leader) (each as may be applicable, and collectively, the Group);
      • whether you wish to attend Eco Town as a member of the public or on behalf of a school or educational institution (and, if so, the name of that school or educational institution);
      • your address, or the address of your school or educational institution where you are booking on behalf of an organisation;
      • whether you or any members of your Group have any special educational needs or access requirements;
      • your travel arrangements for your and your Group’s arrival at Eco Town; and
      • any other information that we reasonably request, whether via the Website or otherwise.
    4. Eco Town reserves the right to amend these Terms at any time. Any updates will be communicated to you accordingly.
    5. The Booking Request is an offer by you to enter into the Contract with us, and the Booking Request shall only be accepted by us when we provide an official booking confirmation email to you (Booking Confirmation) at which point the Contract will come into existence. The Booking Confirmation will confirm the details set out in the Booking Request and provide any further relevant information that may not have already been notified to you.
    6. It is your responsibility to check that all booking details and information included in the Booking Request and/or Booking Confirmation, including contact information, are correct.
    7. Groups must submit their Booking Request at least 10 working days in advance of the requested date of your visit to Eco Town. Same-day and next-day bookings are not permitted.
    8. If your Group exceeds the maximum visitor limit of 40 people, you will need to book two separate visits to Eco Town.
    9. We reserve the right to decline or cancel bookings if:
      • we believe the visit cannot be conducted safely or in line with our policies; or
      • you or your Group have previously booked attendance at Eco Town and failed to attend without cancelling your booking.
    10. We will not be responsible for any costs you may incur with third parties in connection with the booking. We advise against finalising any transport arrangements until you have received your Booking Confirmation.
  3. Eligibility – Special attention is drawn to this clause
    1. Eco Town is a free-of-charge educational experience open to individuals and Groups that meet the following criteria:
      • if you are booking Eco Town as a consumer (and not on behalf of a school or educational institution or group), the Participants of your Group must be residents from within Lancashire;
      • Groups must have at least 5 Participants and no more than 40 Participants per visit; and
      • your Group must include the required number of Group Leaders in accordance with clause 4.2, who will be responsible for the behaviour of each Participant.
    2. If you are booking on behalf of a school or other educational entity, your organisation must be recognised as one of the following:
      • a formal educational institution, including a school, academy, college, or university;
      • a lifelong learning organisation, such as the WEA, U3A, or other local authority-led class;
      • a structured youth education group, including Scouting, Guiding, and the Young Archaeologists’ Club;
      • a home education group, being an organisation supporting individuals with special learning needs or disabilities, mentoring services associated with formal educational institutions or local authorities; or
      • an overseas educational group with accredited qualifications equivalent to those in the UK.
    3. The list in clause 3.2 is not exhaustive, and admission to Eco Town is at our discretion. If you are unsure about your Group’s eligibility, please contact us directly with your enquiry at the contact details set out in clause 1.7.
  4. 4. Attendance at Eco Town – Special attention is drawn to this clause
    1. You agree that you shall (and that your Group and any Participants shall):
      • arrange your own transport to Eco Town, and arrive at Eco Town in advance of the specified start time;
      • cooperate with us, our employees, our Eco Town hosts (each a Host), agents, subcontractors and any third party in all matters relating to the Contract and your (and your Group’s) attendance at Eco Town;
      • ensure that all Participants are aware of, and comply with, all obligations that relate to them under these Terms;
      • comply with any additional obligations as may be specified in the Booking Confirmation; and
      • comply with the health and safety requirements set out in clause 5.
    2. You agree that your Group must, at all times, be adequately supervised during you and your Group’s attendance at Eco Town. The following minimum Group Leader-to-Participant ratios must be maintained for the duration of your Group’s attendance at Eco Town:
      • ages 4-5 (UK Reception): 1 Group Leader for every 4 students (1:4);
      • ages 5-7 (UK Key Stage 1): 1 Group Leader for every 6 students (1:6);
      • ages 7-11 (UK Key Stage 2): 1 Group Leader for every 10 students (1:10);
      • ages 11-18 (UK Key Stage 3, 4, and 5): 1 Group Leader for every 15 students (1:15); and
      • adult groups: at least one designated Group Leader.
    3. Groups with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) must meet the minimum ratio requirements specified in clause 4.2, including any additional Group Leaders as necessary.
    4. Group Leaders remain responsible for behaviour management and the welfare of all Participants.
    5. We reserve the right to refuse entry to, or to eject any individual Participant(s) and/or Groups from Eco Town where, in our reasonable opinion, that Participant or Group acts in such a manner that brings the reputation of us or Eco Town into disrepute. Such actions include, without limitation:
      • making racist, sexist, homophobic or other comments or actions which are intended to harass or cause distress to any other individual(s); and/or
      • acting in an aggressive or otherwise disruptive manner, whether to other individuals or property.
    6. We reserve the right to refuse future Booking Requests submitted by or on behalf of individuals or organisations where we have previously refused entry to or rejected Participants or Groups in accordance with clause 4.5.
    7. You and the Participants in your Group are only permitted to take photographs and videos in specifically designated areas of Eco Town, and must not take photographs or videos of our staff or in areas where our members of staff are carrying out their duties. The Host will let you know when photographs and videos are permitted.
  5. Lunch Facilities
    1. You may use our lunch facilities during your visit to Eco Town, but we do not provide food or catering services. You and your Group must comply with any of our instructions and health and safety rules when visiting our lunch facilities.
    2. You and your Group must clean up after yourselves and dispose of your waste in the waste disposal facilities provided.
  6. Health, Safety and Accessibility – Special attention is drawn to this clause
    1. Groups and each Participant must follow all safety instructions provided by us throughout the duration of your and your Group’s attendance at Eco Town.
    2. The visit takes place in a sealed indoor walkway, and no special protective clothing is required.
    3. Any accessibility requirements or special assistance needs must be communicated to us at the time of submitting your Booking Request so we can make suitable arrangements.
    4. Any injuries or emergencies during the visit must be reported to staff immediately.
  7. Resources
    1. We may, in connection with the Eco Town educational experience, provide you and the Participants with access to resources, content, materials, information and/or documentation relating to Eco Town and its wider subject matter (Resources) after you have received a Booking Confirmation. The Resources (if applicable) shall be provided via our Website or otherwise made available to you and your Group.
    2. All patents, utility models, rights to inventions, copyright, neighbouring and related rights, moral rights, trade marks, service marks, business names and domain names, rights in get-up and trade dress, goodwill and the right to sue for passing off or unfair competition, rights in designs, rights in computer software, database rights, rights to use, and protect the confidentiality of, confidential information (including know-how and trade secrets), and all other intellectual property rights, in each case whether registered or unregistered and including all applications and rights to apply for and be granted, renewals or extensions of, and rights to claim priority from, such rights and all similar or equivalent rights or forms of protection which subsist or will subsist now or in the future in any part of the world (Intellectual Property Rights) arising out of or in connection with Eco Town and the Resources shall be owned by us or by our licensors (as may be applicable).
    3. We grant to you a non-exclusive, royalty-free, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, revocable licence to receive and use the Resources solely for the purpose of your and your Group’s attendance at Eco Town. Our licence to you under this clause 7.3 is subject to the restrictions in clause 7.4, and we reserve the right to revoke the licence granted by this clause 7.3 at our absolute discretion.
    4. You agree that you shall not (and, where you are entering into the Contract on behalf of a number of Participants, those Participants shall not):
      • except as expressly allowed under this Contract, attempt to copy, modify, amend, duplicate, transpose, create derivate works from, frame, mirror, republish, download, display, transmit, or distribute all or any portion of the Resources in any form or media by any means;
      • license, sell, rent, lease, transfer, assign, distribute, display, disclose, commercially exploit, or otherwise make the Resources available to any person or third party; or
      • use the Resources to provide services to third parties or otherwise offer for onward sale any element of the Resources.
  8. Your Responsibilities – Special attention is drawn to this clause
    1. The Group Leaders are responsible for the learning, behaviour, safety, welfare, and overall management of the Group during the visit to Eco Town. It is also each applicable Group Leader’s responsibility to complete a risk assessment specific to their Group prior to your visit.
    2. Eco Town offers free planning or familiarisation visits for Group Leaders, which can be arranged once a visit has been officially booked and you have received a Booking Confirmation from us.
    3. Groups must be adequately supervised at all times, including in outdoor areas, reception, learning spaces, toilets, and walkways. All Participants aged 16 and under must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times while on site.
    4. If a Group Leader leaves the Group and there is therefore an insufficient number of Group Leaders to students, Eco Town reserves the right to pause the session and relocate the Group to a supervised space until the Group Leader returns.
    5. You or your organisation may be held liable for any damage caused to Eco Town facilities by you or members of your Group.
    6. You are responsible for your and your Group’s belongings. We are not responsible for any loss, theft or damage to personal items and property during the visit to Eco Town, including where items are stored in our lockable room, unless such loss or damage is caused directly by our negligence or breach of statutory duty.
    7. At least one Group Leader must carry a complete and accurate list of all Participants in your Group for the purposes of conducting a roll call in case of an evacuation or other emergency.
  9. Our Responsibilities
    1. We aim to provide a safe, enjoyable, and well-organised experience for all Participants at Eco Town. As part of our service standards, we will use all reasonable endeavours to provide the following:
      • Tour Guidance. A knowledgeable and suitably qualified Host will be provided to lead and teach during the Eco Town tour. Booking Support. An efficient and user-friendly booking system to streamline visit scheduling.
      • Visitor Orientation. An induction video to familiarise Participants with Eco Town’s facilities, rules, and safety protocols.
      • Storage. Subject to clause 8.6, a lockable room for the storage of Participants’ belongings during the tour. You are responsible for collecting your belongings before leaving Eco Town. Any unclaimed items may be removed and dealt with in accordance with our lost property policy.
      • Welfare Services. Provision of drinking water for Participants and access to clean and well-maintained toilet facilities.
      • Health and Safety Standards. First aid support will be readily available in case of minor injuries or medical emergencies. Emergency evacuation assistance will be provided in accordance with our safety protocols.
      • Outdoor Facilities. Eco Town includes outdoor areas which are designed to enhance the visitor experience while ensuring safety and accessibility
      • Parking and Accessibility. Parking facilities are available, including a designated coach bay for group tours
    2. We warrant that:
      • we shall perform our obligations under the Contract with reasonable care and skill; and
      • the Resources shall be of satisfactory quality.
    3. We do not warrant that the Eco Town experience and/or the Resources will be fit for, or suited to, any particular purpose other than for general information and advice in relation to their subject matter. To this end, you acknowledge and agree that the Eco Town experience and/or Resources are not intended to be construed as professional or legal advice in any specific circumstances.
  10. Cancellation, Termination and Changes – Special attention is drawn to this clause
    1. We reserve the right to make any minor changes or amendments to the Eco Town experience. Such changes may include, without limitation, changes to the content of Eco Town, the start and end times of the experience and the Host(s) scheduled to lead the experience.

      2. Where you are a consumer

    2. If you are entering into the Contract as a consumer, you have a legal right to change your mind within 14 days of the date of receiving the Booking Confirmation (Cancellation Period). If you would like to cancel your booking within the Cancellation Period, you must contact us via the booking system on our Website or by email at the email address in clause
    3. In addition to your right to change your mind during the Cancellation Period, you may also have a right to terminate the Contract if we breach:
      • any of the warranties contained in clause 9.2; or
      • our statutory obligations towards you under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

      Where you are a consumer

    4. If you are a business and we commit a material breach of the Contract and (if that breach is remediable) we fail to remedy it within 10 business days of being notified to do so, then you may have a right to terminate the Contract.

      5. Whether you are a business or a consumer

    5. If you would like to cancel or reschedule your booking, or terminate the Contract, please notify us as soon as possible via the booking system on our website or at the email address contained in clause 1.7. We may, at our absolute discretion, agree to rearrange your booking to take place at a time and date to be agreed between you and us.

      6. Our rights to end the Contract with you

    6. We may terminate the Contract by giving written notice to you where:
      • you commit a material (or serious) breach of these Terms that you cannot remedy;
      • you commit repeated breaches of these Terms;
      • the Group does not have the required number of Group Leaders as specified in clause 4.2; or
      • we are prevented from complying with our obligations under the Contract due to a Force Majeure Event (see clause 13.1), which might mean that (by way of example only) we do not have an available Host or are required to close Eco Town.
    7. If we need to cancel your visit due to a Force Majeure Event (as defined below), we will endeavour to offer an alternative date. However, we are not responsible for any costs incurred by you or your Group.
  11. Our Liability to You – Special attention is drawn to this clause
    1. Nothing in the Contract limits or excludes the liability of us for:
      • death or personal injury caused by our negligence;
      • fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or
      • any matter in respect of which it would be unlawful for us to limit or exclude liability.
    2. If we fail to comply with the Contract or, where you are a consumer, our statutory obligations to you under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, we are responsible for loss or damage you suffer that is a foreseeable consequence. Loss or damage is foreseeable if either it is obvious that it will happen or if, at the time the Contract is made, both we and you knew it might happen, for example if you discussed it with us during the booking process. We are not, however, responsible for any indirect, special or consequential losses that you may suffer, or any losses that are unexpected or that you could have taken reasonable steps to avoid.
  12. Data Protection
    1. Personal information provided for booking purposes will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy, which is available upon request.
    2. Visitor details will only be used for booking management and will not be shared with third parties.
  13. General
    1. Force Majeure: We shall not be in breach of the Contract nor liable for delay in performing, or failing to perform, any of our obligations under the Contract if such delay or failure result from events outside of our reasonable control (Force Majeure Event). We will use reasonable endeavours to mitigate the effect of a Force Majeure Event on the performance of our obligations towards you. Where a Force Majeure Event necessitates a change to the performance dates, we will reasonably consult with you in order to ensure that any such change causes as little disruption as is reasonably practicable.
    2. Assignment and other dealings:
      • We may assign, transfer, charge, subcontract, declare a trust over or deal in any other manner with any or all of our rights and obligations under the Contract without your prior written consent.
      • You are not able to assign, transfer, mortgage, charge, subcontract, declare a trust over or deal in any other manner with any or all of your rights or obligations under the Contract without our prior written consent (such consent to not be unreasonably withheld or delayed by us).
    3. Variation. No variation of the Contract shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by the parties (or their authorised representatives).
    4. Waiver:
      • A waiver of any right or remedy under the Contract is only effective if given in writing and shall not be deemed a waiver of any subsequent right or remedy.
      • A failure or delay by a party to exercise, or the single or partial exercise of, any right or remedy provided under the Contract or by law shall not constitute a waiver of that or any other right or remedy, nor shall it prevent or restrict the further exercise of that or any other right or remedy.
    5. Severance. If any provision or part-provision of the Contract is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid, legal and enforceable.
    6. Third party rights. No one other than a party to the Contract, their successors and permitted assignees, shall have any right to enforce any of its terms.
    7. Governing law. The Contract (including these Terms) and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with it or its subject matter or formation (including non-contractual disputes or claims) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of England and Wales.
    8. Jurisdiction. Each party irrevocably agrees that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with the Contract (including these Terms) or its subject matter or formation (including non-contractual disputes or claims).