Sustainability at Lakeside Country Park

This level of BREEAM award is given only to the top ten percent of new non-domestic buildings and recognises the Centre's sustainable construction and processes embedded into the running of the building.

On the roof of the Lakeside Centre there is 30kW of solar PV panels which generate enough electricity every year to power ten homes. The building is heated by a Ground Source Heat Pump that draws heat from the ground, much like a fridge in reverse. The ground loop is buried about two metres underground where the temperature is fairly constant and can be used all year round.

The hot water for the showers is heated partially by the solar thermal panels on the roof of the building and the public toilets use a rainwater flushing system to reduce water usage.

The centre's architects, R H Partnership, have won an International Green Apple Environment Award for the project. The Awards are organised by The Green Organisation – an independent, non-political, non-profit group dedicated to recognising and promoting environmental best practice around the world.