Eco Centre

We are planning to build the country’s first adult community education eco centre in Derbyshire after we were awarded almost £900,000 from the Learning and Skills Council.
Artist's impression of Eco Centre

Featuring the latest energy-saving technology, the building will be a national and regional showcase for sustainable development.

It will be at the heart of the county’s drive to combat climate change offering courses in eco-friendly construction skills, renewable energy sources and arts and the environment.

The centre will help us to develop the work of our College of the Peak by providing a large workshop / studio, a meeting and exhibition area with IT facilities and a covered outdoors area to enable practical work to take place in all weathers. Traditional countryside crafts will also continue to be preserved with courses in dry stone walling, stone masonry, lime rendering, slate roofing and woodland crafts.

The eco centre will be built on a site within the National Stone Centre near Wirksworth.

With its state-of-the-art design, it will feature a range of sustainable building systems including a green roof, a water harvesting system, thermal heat pumps and solar panels.

Courses will be run by the Adult Community Education Service, College of the Peak, and the National Stone Centre, which will share the facilities.

Further funding is currently being sought in grants and work is expected to start later this year with the centre open to learners by winter 2009/2010.

Further information from chris.timms@derbyshire.gov.uk

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