Plans to build one of the country's best examples of environmentally-friendly primary schools in Peterborough will be revealed to parents and residents at a meeting at Welland Primary School on Monday 18 October.

The proposed new school, which is in the process of being designed by Peterborough City Council's property design and maintenance team, would replace the existing primary school which is in need of modernisation. The new school would also create much-needed additional places.

It is planned to incorporate a number of low carbon features and innovative environmental technologies which it is believed could achieve a Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) rating of 'outstanding'.

The proposals being put forward for discussion are that the new school would be heated by a biomass boiler and make use of small scale wind turbines and photovoltaic solar panels to produce energy. The plans also include an innovative passive ventilation system, glazed corridors complemented by temperature and CO2 monitoring, a green sedum roof system and rainwater harvesting.

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Councillor Samantha Dalton, the city council's Cabinet Member for Environment Capital, said: "This project really pushes the boundaries for low carbon education, and is an excellent example of the work being done to make city schools as environmentally friendly as possible. It also builds on our growing reputation as the home of environment capital."

Robert Griggs, the city council's Head of Property Design and Maintenance, said: "The technical consultants we have been working with have advised that this project would meet the criteria for a BREEAM 'excellence' rating, with the possibility that we could even try for the 'outstanding' rating. If successful, this would be the first school in the country to achieve this rating.

"All the work carried out by our property design and maintenance team considers how we can help new and existing buildings achieve the lowest possible carbon emissions and improve their environmental credentials. Many of the proposed features have already been included in other school projects across the city, but this brings them all together and includes additional enhancements that really set new standards for our schools."

(CD/KMcA)