Solar panels funded by a Dorset recycling and renewables company are expected to significantly cut the running costs of a relaunched community hub.
Parley-based Eco Sustainable Solutions donated £30,000 for the installation of the panels and battery storage at West Parley Community Hub.
After years of neglect, West Parley Parish Council secured funding for a complete redevelopment and refurbishment of the Christchurch Road building at no additional cost to residents.
The hub had a grand reopening in November after four months of building work.
It will serve affiliated sports clubs, Parley Pre-School and the wider community with rooms for hire.
The bright, welcoming space offers improved accessibility features and multi-purpose rooms, with facilities for exercise classes, interest groups, social events and more.
Mark Barber, Chairman of West Parley Parish Council, said: “Eco’s generous donation has been fantastic and a game changer for us.
“Our aim was always to provide a sustainable building. The money that Eco has given us has made that happen.
“The solar panels and battery storage means that the whole building’s costs will come down considerably and make it far better for everyone.
“The total community hub project came in at just over £400,000, through grants, help from Dorset Council Section 106 monies, Veolia and a whole range of people. We haven’t borrowed a penny.”
Eco’s £30,000 donation marked the 30th anniversary of the company’s founding.
During the last three decades it has grown from two men, a pitchfork and a pile of garden compost to a business employing 53 people and over £20 million annual turnover.
Justin Dampney, Managing Director, said: “Our family has proudly supported the West Parley community facility ever since its beginnings in the early 1960s.
“It’s fantastic to be able to contribute to the sustainable running of this wonderful new facility, which will benefit our local community for years to come.”
Eco, which recycles green, wood, sweepings and food waste for both BCP Council and Dorset Council among many other contracts, now has sites at Parley, Piddlehinton and Weymouth in Dorset.
Since the company began trading it has recycled more than 4.3m tonnes of organic material, preventing over 2m tonnes of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) from being emitted to the atmosphere – the equivalent of over 2,000 return flights to Australia!
https://eco-landscaping.co.uk/
* Justin Dampney, Eco’s Managing Director, pictured right, with Mark Barber, Chairman of West Parley Parish Council. Picture: Andrew Diprose.