Energy efficient primary school to be built

31 January 2007

A £4.2 million replacement primary school incorporating the latest green technology is to be built by Derbyshire County Council in Belper.

The authority’s cabinet has given the go-ahead to replace Herbert Strutt Primary School on part of the former Parks secondary school site, off Bargate Road.

The rest of the site has been sold to developer Haslam Homes for housing, with the proceeds being used towards the cost of the new school.

The school will include:

  • Four junior, two infant and a reception classroom 

  • A hall, amphitheatre, library, ICT resource area and kitchen 

  • Infant and junior play areas, soft play areas and playing fields 

  • Administration area, toilets and car parking

The school will also feature energy saving devices which will reduce running costs as well as help improve the environment, which will include an energy management control system to allow energy useage in the building to be efficiently controlled.

Photovoltaic panels will be put on the south-west facing roof of the school, which will convert daylight into electricity for the school. A planning application will be submitted shortly to build a 25-metre high wind turbine on the site which would also generate electricity.

It is hoped the panels and the wind turbine will produce enough electricity to power the school’s heating system, with any excess being sold to the National Grid.

A geothermal heat pump will generate energy by using heat from bore holes 30 to 40 metres below ground. The heat generated will be integrated into the school’s under floor heating system.

A holding tank will also collect rainwater so it can be used to flush toilets instead of using treated water. It is estimated this will save the school £1104 a year.

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for school planning and support, said: “At the moment pupils are in a building that is not suited to modern school needs. The replacement school will provide them with the facilities they need.

“This school will also be one of the most energy efficient buildings we have constructed. It will use renewable technologies to meet the needs of a 21st century school.

"The renewable energy sources will also be an invaluable teaching aid. We will be installing a display panel in the main entrance so pupils can monitor information about the amount of electricity and energy being produced.”

The existing school on Derby Road is old and needs around £1.5 million of work to maintain the school’s condition. The school also has surplus spaces, meaning sections of the building are not used.

Before work can start on the new school Haslam Homes needs to complete work to build an access road. It is hoped this can be completed so construction can start in March, with a view to being completed by February 2008.

Ownership of the existing Herbert Strutt Primary School building in Derby Road will pass back to Amber Valley Borough Council when the new school opens.

(REF: JF.29.07)

A £4.2 million replacement primary school incorporating the latest green technology is to be built by Derbyshire County Council in Belper.

The authority’s cabinet has given the go-ahead to replace Herbert Strutt Primary School on part of the former Parks secondary school site, off Bargate Road.

The rest of the site has been sold to developer Haslam Homes for housing, with the proceeds being used towards the cost of the new school.

The school will include:

  • Four junior, two infant and a reception classroom 

  • A hall, amphitheatre, library, ICT resource area and kitchen 

  • Infant and junior play areas, soft play areas and playing fields 

  • Administration area, toilets and car parking

The school will also feature energy saving devices which will reduce running costs as well as help improve the environment, which will include an energy management control system to allow energy useage in the building to be efficiently controlled.

Photovoltaic panels will be put on the south-west facing roof of the school, which will convert daylight into electricity for the school. A planning application will be submitted shortly to build a 25-metre high wind turbine on the site which would also generate electricity.

It is hoped the panels and the wind turbine will produce enough electricity to power the school’s heating system, with any excess being sold to the National Grid.

A geothermal heat pump will generate energy by using heat from bore holes 30 to 40 metres below ground. The heat generated will be integrated into the school’s under floor heating system.

A holding tank will also collect rainwater so it can be used to flush toilets instead of using treated water. It is estimated this will save the school £1104 a year.

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for school planning and support, said: “At the moment pupils are in a building that is not suited to modern school needs. The replacement school will provide them with the facilities they need.

“This school will also be one of the most energy efficient buildings we have constructed. It will use renewable technologies to meet the needs of a 21st century school.

"The renewable energy sources will also be an invaluable teaching aid. We will be installing a display panel in the main entrance so pupils can monitor information about the amount of electricity and energy being produced.”

The existing school on Derby Road is old and needs around £1.5 million of work to maintain the school’s condition. The school also has surplus spaces, meaning sections of the building are not used.

Before work can start on the new school Haslam Homes needs to complete work to build an access road. It is hoped this can be completed so construction can start in March, with a view to being completed by February 2008.

Ownership of the existing Herbert Strutt Primary School building in Derby Road will pass back to Amber Valley Borough Council when the new school opens.

(REF: JF.29.07)

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