New grant to boost Chilterns Lifestyle Centre’s green credentials

Community, Democracy and Local Affairs, Energy, Environment, Physical Activities

The Chilterns Lifestyle Centre in Amersham is set to benefit from a significant government grant.

The funding, totalling almost £350,000, has been awarded by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme operated by Salix.

The grant funding will be used to install water source heat pumps and 450 roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) panels at the new Chilterns Lifestyle Centre in Amersham.

The PV system is the most efficient model available and will contribute significantly to the energy efficiency and sustainability of the brand new centre and to the Council’s priorities in relation to climate change and sustainability. The new building has been carefully designed to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the Council’s facilities.

The Council will be using one of the most energy-efficient heating technologies available to heat the two swimming pools and the atmosphere within the pool hall. The water source heat pumps are a heat recovery system which utilises heat generated elsewhere in the building. The system is highly efficient and could save up to 180,000kg of Co2 equivalent compared to traditional gas boiler systems.

Councillor Clive Harriss, Cabinet Member for Sports and Leisure said: “We are absolutely over the moon to receive this funding from BEIS which will allow us to provide zero carbon heat to the Chilterns Lifestyle Centre. Due to the age of the existing Chiltern Pools, it was estimated to account for approximately 50% of the former Chiltern District Council’s carbon footprint! Closing the site will have a hugely positive impact on Buckinghamshire Council’s ambition to become a much greener, cleaner and healthier county.”

Planning consent has already been obtained, and the installation of the solar panels and water source heat pumps is programmed to begin July 2021.

For further information on the Chilterns Lifestyle Centre visit: chilternslifestylecentre.com

For further information on the Council’s commitment towards creating a more environmentally sustainable future for our residents visit the Sustainability and Climate Change pages on the Council’s website at: buckinghamshire.gov.uk.