The location of the site is adjacent to the New Road and High Street junction, which was chosen as it lies on the main approach to the town centre, with public via a newly landscaped public plaza. The building was designed to be energy efficient using sustainable resources, including the use of wood pellet boilers, solar panels, recycled rainwater system, green roof technology and natural ventilation. The recovered rainwater supplies a portion of the water supply for cisterns and irrigation, while the roof-mounted panels absorb sunlight which in turn heats most of the water required for staff needs. Associated site works included extensive landscaping to create an urban streetscape that incorporates a “Green Route” designed to maintain pedestrian access through the site and into the town.
