The future of building is here

Pioneering ecological building techniques being championed by Staffordshire County Council will be highlighted at a conference next week.

Key guest will be Jim Fitzpatrick MP, government minister from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM).

Brick by Brick is the title of the event at Stafford's Gatehouse Theatre on Monday. It is being hosted jointly by the County Council, Stafford Borough Council and Sustainability Matters.

It will concentrate on "sustainable" green building techniques and will involve around 150 planners, developers, architects, businesses and representatives of local authorities.

Mick Clarke, the County Council's Cabinet Member for Resources said: "At the County Council we are taking a lead on building techniques that are kindest to the environment. This concentrates on two key areas - using building materials that are sustainable, and limiting the carbon emissions of completed buildings.

"We are now working towards our first carbon neutral building - one that creates all its own energy and does not rely on the burning of fossil fuels."

Examples of County Council green eco-buildings include.

Apedale Visitor Centre, Newcastle

The centre is in the design stage and should be completed in Summer 2007. It will be completely carbon neutral. In fact it is hoped surplus electricity can be sold back to the national grid.

Power will be developed through a combination of solar and wind power. Insulation will be so effective that the building may not require any heating. If heating is required it will use a biomass boiler.

Mosley Primary School, Anslow

This new school won the BDA Sustainability Award for green construction in 2004. It has a green "living" roof and photo voltaic panels to power the ventilation systems. Insulation is to the highest standards and building materials are local wherever possible.

Steve Bell, the County's Head of Design said: "We are adopting many techniques that will help save the environment - and recent rises in energy costs mean they are becoming more and more cost effective."

Cllr Clarke added: "We are delighted to be taking part in this conference which is pointing towards the future of construction."

Page Last Modified: 30/01/2007 16:03:26

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