Sustainability at the Hub

The new Fakenham Leisure Centre and Sports Hub will include a range of carbon reduction measures including solar panels, heat pumps and an EV charging point.

Sustainability Strategy

In the summer of 2021, North Norfolk District Council declared a climate emergency. The Council is currently in the process of approving a new local plan that emphasises sustainable building construction and operation.

Swimming pools require a considerable amount of energy to heat the pool water and maintain a safe and comfortable environment for users. However, careful consideration has been given to the development of on-site energy production strategies to mitigate the technical requirements of operating a swimming pool and to set ambitious low-carbon targets.

Aspiring to achieve net-zero

The new building will therefore aspire to achieve net zero carbon in operation, through the use of a heat-pump based primary heating strategy complemented by photovoltaic solar panels located on the available roof space to maximise efficiency.

Below is a list of items that contribute to the sustainability strategy:

Primary heating system

The primary heating system for the new building is to be an Air Source Heat pump system, providing energy for both the domestic hot water and space heating systems.

Solar panels

Photovoltaic solar panel arrays to offset the carbon factors associated with the gas and electricity usage of the existing building, as well as emissions from the new building. The array will be located upon the existing sports hall roof and the new pool hall roof, identified as the most suitable locations to gain maximum production efficiency.

Building fabric

Air-tight and thermally efficient new building fabric, retaining as much energy as possible expended in the building.

Lighting

Low-energy internal and external LED lighting.

Active travel

Promoting active travel with upgrades to the pedestrian access to the site, as well as covered cycle storage located close to the entrance to the building.

EV charging points

Installing an EV charging point and ensuring the infrastructure is prepared for a more sustainable urban drainage system.

Biodiversity

Committing to a 10% improvement in the biodiversity of existing habitats on-site.

Reduction of embodied carbon

Reducing embodied carbon by incorporating industry-tested Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag (GGBS), a waste product from blast furnaces, into the concrete mix.