A NEW extension to a West Devon primary school has achieved recognition for its sustainability.

The Diocese of Exeter's Property Services Department received a prestigious award for building excellence for work carried out on St Peter's C of E Junior School in Tavistock.

Diocesan surveyor Jason Down picked up the Devon Building Control Partnership (DBCP) award for 'Best Sustainable Building' for the large extension added to the school.

Mr?Down managed the entire project from the initial planning permission to completion.

He said: 'The school and the design team did not set out to win any awards, we were just trying to apply good modern design to allow the school to spend less on heating and energy cost and maintenance and more on the education of the children, in larger classrooms designed for modern education.

'This also follows one of Diocese of Exeter's key policies in encouraging schools to reduce their carbon footprint when schools come to us for assistance in alterations to the existing buildings.'

Mr?Down said the junior school included many sustainable elements such as a 1.8kw solar panel system, passive ventilation and a new rain-water soak-away system.

'Intelligent lighting control both inside and outside means no-one can leave a light on,' he added, 'The new school extension is twice the size of the old wing that was demolished without increasing the load on the boiler due to its thermal efficiency.

'Monodraft X-Air vents fitted to the three classrooms and multipurpose room monitor both temperature and C02 levels and provide natural ventilation, including night time cooling without comprising security. And almost the entire extension can be recycled at the end of its life.'

Devon Building Control Partnership (DBCP), representing three local authorities — Teignbridge, South Hams and West Devon — runs the annual local authority awards scheme to reward building designers, builders and developers who achieve high standards of workmanship, project management and sustainability.