LIGHT, airy classrooms, solar panels and a rainwater harvesting system will be the setting for students at Barton Peveril College from September.

The Eastleigh college's new Nobel Building, part of a £4.2m investment in facilities, is set to attract an Excellent award from BREEAM, the international organisation that sets standards for best practice in sustainable building design.

The 1956m2 of floor space and 17 classrooms will provide a new home for the psychology and maths departments, as well as additional teaching space for Sport and PE.

Vice-Principal and project manager, Nigel Groves, said: “The Nobel Building represents a significant investment in first class teaching facilities backed by the college's ongoing commitment to sustainable buildings.”

Barton Peveril has invested £2.72m of its own capital reserves and borrowings, with the remaining £1.48m from a government grant.

The Nobel is on-track for completion by July, with a fit-out over the summer holidays.