Basildon to Heat Pools with Solar Power

Basildon Council has been looking at wind and solar power as possible ways to cut spiralling fuel costs at its leisure centres.

Officials have confirmed they are still investigating the use of solar water heating at centres including Eversley Leisure Centre, in Pitsea.

This follows a pilot schemes at Pitsea swimming pool and at a shower block at the council's Barleylands depot, near Billericay.
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Gloucester Park swimming pool is currently costing the council £11,000 a month to heat - the equivalent of subsidising each swimmer to the tune of £3.60.

It has already ruled out wind turbines at leisure centres as unsightly, expensive to put up and inefficient.

Solar panels are still being looked at, however.

Council leader Malcolm Buckley said: "There are two reasons we are doing this. The first is, of course, cost.

"Anything that can reduce these costs will be of benefit to council tax-payers. Of course, with any system there will be an initial outlay to install the equipment, but savings will recoup this in the long run.... read more