Leisure centre's asbestos-lined roof to be replaced

The pool's roof needs to be replaced so that solar panels can be installed

The asbestos-lined roof above the swimming pool at Farnham Leisure Centre is to be replaced following the award of a government grant.

The government is paying the £450,000 to replace the roof to support the fittings for the solar panels.

Sport England has given Waverley Borough Council a further £137,000 to install solar panels on the leisure centre.

Councillor Liz Townsend, cabinet member for planning, said: “I know it’s actually extremely hard work to actually secure these grants, so this is great news."

The only suitable spot for the panels at the leisure centre is on its roof, but the asbestos must first be removed, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The solar panels are part of a larger programme to replace ageing boilers at the leisure centre and offset the electricity demands of new heat pumps.

It will all contribute to plans for the borough to become carbon neutral, the council said.

Cllr Townsend said: “It’s great news that we are making more inroads in becoming carbon neutral in our leisure centres.”