A NEW £3.1m hi-tech eco friendly council office has scooped a major international environmental award.

Lakeside Centre has received the prestigious honour for its eco-friendly design and energy performance.

The centre is designed to be highly energy and water efficient, using ground-source heat, solar power and harvested rainwater.

Now it has seen off competition from more than 100 entrants, to be awarded an International Green Apple Environment Award in honour of its environmentally-friendly construction.

Organised by The Green Organisation – an independent, non-political, non-profit group – the Green Apple Environment Awards recognise environmental best practice around the world.

At a ceremony held at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) earlier this week, the Lakeside Centre’s architect, RH Partnership, was honoured by the judges for its sustainable design for the low-energy building.

R H Partnership director Phillip Naylor said: “We are delighted that the new Lakeside centre has received this level of national recognition in winning such a prestigious environmental award.

“Consideration for the social, economic and environmental impact of the build was intrinsic to our early design process of the Lakeside centre, and at the forefront of our thinking at every stage of the project.

“It has resulted in a future-proofed facility that can be flexible and adapted over time to changes in climate, demand for new sources of energy, and developments in technology. It is also sustainable to run and fully embraces the beauty of its lakeside setting.”

Built in 2015, the centre features a green roof consisting of a native and wildflower grass planting system which is designed to complement the park’s insect and wildlife habitat.

The centre provides office spaces, rooms for hire, conference facilities, storage as well as showers and changing rooms and it is owned by Eastleigh Borough Council.

Cllr Rupert Kryle, cabinet lead for environment, said: “Lakeside centre was planned from the start to be an innovative low-energy building without compromising the quality of the environment. We are delighted to receive this award.

“It is an excellent example of what we are doing to

make real environmental improvements across the borough.

“We really want to push the boundaries, show what’s possible with constructing sustainable, eco-friendly facilities and buildings.”