IS COCKERMOUTH THE GREENEST?
Last updated 11:42, Tuesday, 01 July 2008
A CUMBRIAN town is leading the green revolution – and it has the awards to prove it.
Two recently built projects in Cockermouth have scooped prestigious regional honours for their environmentally-friendly designs.
Cockermouth School and Southwaite Green holiday cottages, in Lorton, were both victorious at the Northwest Business Environment Awards 2008 in Manchester.
Ccokermouth School’s eco-centre topped the category of buildings costing more than £1m.
Locally sourced and recycled materials were used in its construction and a range of renewable energy technologies, were built into its design.
The centre combines ground source heat pumps, a wind turbine, photovoltaic cells, a green roof, energy efficient lighting and rainwater harvesting.
Southwaite Green’s prize was in recognition of its transformation of a farmhouse and barn accomodation into five-star holiday accommodation with strong environmental credentials.
Owner Marna McMillin drew on her environmental principles to make use of the sun on south facing walls and maximise insulation, as well as reusing materials to minimise waste sent to landfill, and including low maintenance technologies and generating energy on site for heating and water.
Steven Broomhead, chief executive at the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) which sponsors the awards, said: “These awards are an ideal opportunity to recognise the innovative work that is being carried out by a range of companies throughout England’s north west.
“It is an excellent way to highlight the benefits businesses can gain through adopting more efficient operational practices.”
