Hoardings are due to go up at Memorial Hall, Farnham this week as the building undergoes the fitting of a new heating and electricity system as part of the council’s goal to become a net-zero carbon council by 2030.
The hall, which is home to The Brightwells Gostrey Centre, and Waverley Training Services, is being fitted with a new Air Source Heat Pump to provide heating and a PV array to supply electricity. This aims to reduce carbon emissions by 25% year on year and forms part of the council’s move to harness solar energy in strategic locations.
Work begins in February and will be complete by the end of March/beginning of April. Parking will be reduced whilst works are being carried out, however visitors should note that the Memorial Hall is still open by appointment only for services.
Councillor Steve Williams, Waverley Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, said: “As a council working hard to achieve net-zero carbon by 2030, it is important to cut back on our own carbon emissions; the new heating and electricity system at Memorial Hall is another step forward towards more sustainable energy and achieving greater energy efficiency for our buildings.
“Not only will it improve Memorial Hall’s energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint but will set the trend for other buildings across Waverley.”
Waverley Borough Council has just been recognised by Climate Emergency UK as developing the strongest plan for tackling the climate and ecological emergency of any council in Surrey and the fifth highest district council in the country. Waverley scored 76%; this compared to an average score of 43% for English District Councils and 40% for County Councils.
The council has already set to work on cutting back its carbon emissions and supporting the move towards a net-zero carbon borough by 2030. It has allocated £300,000 to launch action on the climate emergency and is now building zero-carbon homes, developing plans to retrofit council homes to make them more energy efficient as well as making Waverley buildings more sustainable. The council is also supporting community energy hubs, promoting walking and cycling and sustainable transport as well as harnessing solar energy in strategic locations.