CIVIC chiefs are hailing the green credentials of their new Winchester Sports and Leisure Park.

Following the city council’s declaration of a climate emergency, improvements will be added to make the centre greener as the council looks to become carbon neutral by 2024. There will be more solar panels, water recycling and heat recovery units. Two hundred trees will be planted on site.

The centre will include a 50m near-Olympic sized pool, training pool, multi-use sports hall, fitness suite, squash courts and a hydrotherapy suite.

Cllr Malcolm Prince, cabinet member for sport, leisure and communities, said: “It is fundamental that Winchester Sports and Leisure Park is as sustainable as possible. Now we have declared a climate emergency it has to factor into everything we do and these improvements will make a real difference as we work towards our goal of the council becoming carbon neutral by 2024.”

This month, a pedestrian crossing will be installed on Bar End Road.