Belvedere Community Centre Improvements
| |
 |
| |
Using green renewable power from solar panels on the roof,
has saved over 2.3 tons of CO2 emissions since April. |
The Belvedere Community Centre in Mitchell Close, Belvedere, is really starting
to see the benefits from a number of recent environmental improvements.
Funded by £75,000 from the London Borough of Bexley and the Thames Gateway
London Partnership, new sustainable energy measures are helping to make the
Belvedere Community Centre a flagship facility in the borough.
Using green renewable power from solar panels on the roof, has saved over
2.3 tons of CO2 emissions since April. The panels have generated more power
in 3 months than the average household uses in a full year. This has saved
the Centre a quarter of the site's annual electricity costs. Visitors are able
to see how much energy the solar panels generate on an electronic display screen
in the main hall.
The project stems from the Council's aims to improve the quality and efficiency
of public services.
The next phase of the work will see the installation of a wind turbine and
a biomass boiler which is scheduled for installation by the end of the year.
Bexley has applied for funding from the Government's Low Carbon Buildings Programme
for this work. It is hoped these additional measures will make the centre "carbon
neutral", where the centre's energy use will have a very low impact on
the environment.
Cabinet Member for the Environment, Cllr
Gareth Bacon said: "I am delighted
to see Belvedere Community Centre leading the way and making such a positive
contribution to the environment. We all need to consider ways of reducing CO2
emissions and using green energy."
In addition to energy saving, the Centre is also seeing a number of other
changes, as part of a larger refurbishment programme. The garden area has new
play equipment, including an open roofed Wendy house with furniture. New trees
and shrubs have been planted, and the layout of the car park has been improved.
Plans are underway for an environmental themed mural to cover a drab, grey
exterior wall, which will be inspired by the varied cultures of the centre’s
visitors.
Cllr John Waters, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing said: "I
am very excited about the new artwork, and I look forward to seeing the designs.
This funding has helped bring considerable changes to the Belvedere Community
Centre, and I hope other local facilities will look to adopt some of the same
sustainable technology available."
Basic measures, such as improving the insulation to the roof and walls, which
any home or business premises can adopt, will also be carried out. These measures
alone can save more than 20 per cent of the average annual fuel bill. A new
suspended ceiling will also improve natural lighting levels and the visual
appearance of the main hall.
The Council is keen to see more residents and local organisations take advantage
of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme. The scheme provides grants to help fund
energy efficiency measures in a wide variety of buildings, including households,
community organisations, public, private and the non-profit sectors. For details
visit their website at 
www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk/home/
Further information is available here and www.belvederecentre.com/index.php
