A new children’s home being planned for Weymouth will include some ‘green’ energy measures.

The site, in Dorchester Road, which was previously the town's registration office, will be fitted with both a heat pump and solar panels.

Dorset Council also claim that its method of construction for a new section will help reduce carbon with savings also made by converting the main block, rather than by demolition and building new.

Councillor Andrew Parry, Cabinet member for children’s services and education, says the detailed design and specification will be undertaken in line with the council’s climate emergency strategy “subject to existing budget constraints.”

In response to a question from Cllr Alex Brenton about keeping the building as ‘green’ as possible, he said: “The new build part of the project will use ‘modern methods of construction’ (MMC) – in effect a modular build using advanced sustainable principles and off-site construction reducing embedded carbon. We do intend to use a ‘heat pump’ and ‘photovoltaic panels – indeed incorporating as much ‘sustainable technology’ as we can achieve within the budget and the procurement process before the project goes to contract.

“All reasonable steps will be taken to reduce the carbon impact of future public buildings, however, this will need to be supported by Council policies and resources as we drive our estate towards zero carbon. Our Climate Emergency Strategy sets out our intention to develop these new zero carbon policies over the next year for further consideration by Cabinet.”

Cllr Brenton told the council: “If we care about the future of our children Dorset Council should prove a leader in building for the future and be an example to the county developers that good modern design should last lifetimes.”