AN ENVIRONMENTALLY-friendly building in Torfaen has scooped a prestigious sustainability award.
The Eco-building in Cwmbran won the CLAW Sustainability Award, presented by environment Minister Jane Davidson in Aberystwyth last week.
The Torfaen council-owned building on the Springvale Industrial Estate is part of the European-funded “Encourage” project aimed at improving environmental management.
The building is used as a venue for environmental seminars, workshops and demonstrations for local businesses and is also open to visitors and available for events.
Constructed from timber and insulated using local straw bales, the building is designed to have minimal environmental impact and to demonstrate the use of sustainable materials and building techniques.
Environmentally-friendly features include straw bale insulation, rainwater harvesting, photo-sensitive lighting, recycled cellulose insulation and a small photo-voltaic/wind turbine system.
CLAW is a consortium of Welsh Local Authorities, police and fire services and is concerned with promoting public sector property matters.
The council was also commended for its work on the World Heritage Centre in Blaenavon.
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