Sir.–I would like to congratulate The Gazette on their Green Town, Green Borough campaign which ran in Thursday’s edition.

I believe it is fundamental that we all take responsibility to promote and encourage eco friendliness within our community.

As you are aware, BCoT is committed to the Government’s Green Deal initiative, which is designed to help householders and businesses increase the energy and efficiency of properties in the UK.

We are set to become one of the largest providers of solar power in Basingstoke by installing more than £100,000 of solar panels.

The first phase is set to begin shortly, when up to 400 panels will be installed on the engineering block. The panels are expected to produce 85,000kw of energy over the course of a year.

I believe it is morally right for our college to make this commitment. The panels will pay for themselves within eight years and have a life-span of 20-plus years.

The college already has in place voltage optimisation, which has reduced its electricity consumption, and it will next be installing insulated cladding to reduce heat loss and reduce the volume of gas we use to heat our buildings.

At the start of a new year, BCoT is determined to make ‘going green’ one of its core priorities with sustainability at the heart of everything we do.

Our construction department have been working on a dilapidated house in May Street and are committed to keeping it green by reusing old bricks.

Other commitments to the green cause include the addition of an allotment used by the hospitality department to grow their own vegetables.

These are then used in the meals the students cook and prepare at the restaurant.

We intend to review our lighting and to carry out a phased programme to replace inefficient lighting with modern low energy bulbs with a much longer life cycle.

Student awareness of recycling is an integral part of our green campaign.

Each department will focus on working with recyclable products as part of their learning, so our art and design learners will recycle old products into fashion accessories.

Salon Evolve will ensure all products are recycled efficiently and effectively. As an organisation, we will do much more to ensure we recycle as much as we possible.

Once again, congratulations on a fantastic campaign. I want to assure you of my total support and the college’s commitment to a greener and more sustainable future.

–Anthony Bravo, Principal, Basingstoke College of Technology, Basingstoke.