PLANS to build a new eco library in the grounds of a Basingstoke primary school have been approved.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has granted an application for the detached single-storey building at St John’s Primary School, in Kingsmill Road.

It will be built by Net Zero Buildings, which has developed numerous award-winning low energy education buildings.

The application states that the 60sqm building will be six metres away from the school building, linked with two new paths to the school and to the playground.

The roof will have solar panels and the building will have various renewable resources to generate more energy than it consumes, “distributing the considerable excess power created to the existing school building.”

These include mechanical heat recovery ventilation and sensor controlled low energy lighting.

Inside there will be a flexible reading area and activity area, and plenty of natural daylight will be provided by a glazed facade and windows.

St John’s has managed to secure £2,000 from a council Have Your Say grant to use to buy furniture for the new library.