Saturday 15 May 2010

Ecotricity takes over derelict DSS office

A green energy company is to turn a former DSS office in Stroud which has been derelict for more than 10 years into its eco-headquarters.

Ecotricity has been granted planning permission for the work in the Gloucestershire town to go ahead, and claims that it will create 'the greenest office building in the UK'.

The sustainable features of the building will include rainwater harvesting, induced convection ventilation, and passive and active solar heating.

Ecotricity currently employs 170 people in Stroud and expects this to increase to 300 once the new building is operational.

Ecotricity founder and managing director Dale Vince said: "Our vision is for a living, breathing building that practically powers itself. Virtually all of the heating, cooling and lighting will come from natural sources around us.

The work is expected to cost up to £8m and take around two years to complete.