A ROMSEY community hall, used by the scouts, will be getting an array of solar panels and energy-saving LED light bulbs thanks to three grants.

The Dr Peter Centre was awarded funding from Test Valley Borough Council, the National Lottery Community Fund and the National Grid Community Grant Programme.

The grants, totalling £45,000, will cover the majority of the installation costs, with a private donation from Tony Trowsdale covering the balance. 

Installation work will be completed by renewable energy experts Your Energy, Your Way. 

David Sutton, vice-president of Romsey Scouts, said: “As a community building and a charity, we are always trying to keep costs down for our young people and others who use our building. 

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“With rising energy prices, that has become an increasing challenge. The combination of this and wanting to provide sustainable Scouting meant we investigated the possibility of self-generation with the solar panels, as well as ways of reducing our usage, like switching to LED lights.

“With the cost of the changes coming in at around £50,000, it was clear we were going to need external financial support to ensure this project was possible. On behalf of the Dr Peter Centre, I applied to Test Valley Borough Council, The National Lottery Community Fund and National Grid with my fingers crossed but never did I expect all three applications to come good. We really are very grateful for their support as it wouldn’t be possible without them.”

The centre, located on Baden Powell Way behind Romsey Fire Station, has a large roof which faces almost due south, making it ideal for solar generation. 

The building will be fitted with a 15kW battery so that any energy generated can be stored, before any surplus is then sold back into the grid to help cover some of the other building running costs.

The installation work is expected to be spread over about four weeks with installers working mostly on the outside of the building so scout meetings and other hirers should not be adversely affected.