College plans £100,000 eco class

A south Shropshire college has announced plans for an eco classroom, costing nearly £100,000.

The eco-study centre at Bishop's Castle Community College would showcase environmentally friendly technology people can use in their own homes, including an air source heat pump and wet system to distribute heat around the building.

Some of electricity used by the heat pump would be provided by photovoltaic cells on the roof, which convert light into electricity.

Thermal sensors with digital read-out would be embedded in walls and on windows so the thermal efficiency of the building can be analysed by students.

The centre would provide extra study space and be used for community groups.

Andy Owen, head of specialism at the college, said: "We've applied for government grants to fund some of the green technologies that are going in the building."

He added: "We are hoping community groups interested in green technologies and reducing their carbon footprint can meet there. Hopefully people can come and see our building and find inspiration to improve their own homes."

He went on: "The building will be a visible and very public display of our commitment to education for sustainable development which is a major driving concept within our specialist humanities programme."

The project has been put out to tender by Shropshire Council.