Sustainable construction to make hostel ''one of UK''s greenest buildings''

Posted by Andrew Marshall

Renewable energy and eco construction products such as photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and sustainable panelling will help make a new hostel in Norwich one of the greenest buildings in the country, the Norwich Evening News has reported.

Jason Borthwick and his father Alister plan to convert the former Ferry Boat pub on King Street, which has stood empty for four years, into an eco-friendly hostel with the use of PV solar panels and sustainable construction solutions.

The centre will offer rooms priced at just £9.50 per night, as well as boasting bicycle hire, a cafe and a tourist information centre.

Speaking to the newspaper, Jason Borthwick said: ''We want to make something really eco-friendly. We''re looking at things like straw bale building, [a] wooden frame structure [and] whole-roof PV solar panels to heat all the hot water.''

Earlier this week, plans to build the world''s most environmentally-friendly building were given the green light in China.

Once complete, the Wuhan Energy Flower, designed by Dutch firm Grontmij, will be the first sustainable construction worldwide to be awarded ''outstanding'' BREEAM accreditation.