WINCHESTER City Council is making progress as its battles to reduce its carbon footprint, a meeting heard.

Carbon emissions have dropped by 22.5 per cent from the 2009/10 baseline and a 9.1 per cent reduction on the previous year.

Cllr Jan Warwick, portfolio holder for the environment, said: “This also demonstrates that the council is making good progress towards its target of a 20 per cent reduction on 2015/16 levels by 2020/2021.”

She was responding to a question from Cllr Kelsie Learney at full Council.

Data for 2017/2018 is currently being collated ready for the production of the report which will be shared once available.

Cllr Learney raised the issue after the city council gave approval to a new leisure centre at Bar End which will have a carbon footprint 50 per cent greater than River Park.

Cllr Warwick responded: “In terms of the leisure centre, the design is one of a very energy efficient building which will achieve the highest possible rating whilst achieving the BREEAM excellent standard. Its carbon emissions per metre squared are around 27 per cent less than the existing centre based upon current estimates.

“The management of the new centre will be crucial in terms of overall energy management and in reducing consumption and this will be a key focus for the Council and the operator once they are appointed.

“As technology improves it is possible to introduce new energy saving measures. The recent refurbishment of the City Offices has seen LED lighting introduced throughout the building, bringing a significant reduction in energy usage and carbon emissions. The recently completed Chesil Lodge includes PV on the roof, CHP and LED lighting to minimize carbon emissions.”

She added that the council recently acquired the Vaultex site in Barfield Close for additional park and ride parking. The objective will be to encourage more visitors to use the park and ride service to reduce carbon emissions in the city.

The ambition is for the council to become carbon neutral by 2047.