The York ecoDepot

Within four years of being elected, initiative and action by Christian brought City of York Council its first environmentally sustainable building. In doing so he also helped to transform the self-confidence of the local authority on environmental matters.

In 2003 the council had a hundred reasons why an environmentally sustainable building could not be built. The technology was unproven, there was no funding available, there wasn't a suitable site ...

Early in 2004 Christian received approval to try to transform the planned replacement for the Foss Islands Depot into an environmentally sustainable bulding. The only proviso was that it must not cost the council any extra money!

It looked like a tough call, the plans for an ordinary building had already been approved and various officers were concerned that there was neither the time nor the budget to revisit the project.

Christian approached Yorkshire Forward, the regional development agency, and set up a meeting. Working with a small group of officers who were as keen as Christian to see change in York, funding bids were prepared, architects were hired, negotiations took place with the building contractor, and the project was transformed. In December 2006 the ecoDepot was opened by Ming Campbell, then Lib Dem leader.

The ecoDepot has the largest PV area in the city. Its revolutionary pre-fabricated straw cladding panels have meant that, on the coldest winter days, the heating is only on for a maximum of two hours a day. A huge tank buried beneath the site ensures that the city's trucks are cleaned in recycled rainwater rather than drinking water, as they had been in the past. The water recycling alone saves around £28K per year.

The project is a great example of the difference between talk and action and shows what can be achieve where there is vision and leadership. The success of the ecoDepot has had a marked impact on all construction within the council. Schools, libraries, swimming pools, and the council planned new office in Hungate, have all benefited from the experience and the confidence the ecoDepot project has brought the local authority.

While Christian was executive member for Leisure, Culture and Social Inclusion, Yearsley Pool had a make over, reducing its energy consumption by around 50%, and the new Energise pool at Oaklands School began construction. The new pool at Energise produces 85% less CO2 emissions than the Edmund Wilson Pool it replaced.

Schools across the city are benefitting from the new emphasis on environmental sustainability. The Explore library at Acomb is powered by wood chip instead of fossil fuel.

The ecoDepot started a revolution that transformed the city council's commitment to sustainability and Christian is proud to have been a driving force for change.

"The Stone Age didn't end because they ran out of stones," says Christian. "It ended because human beings found something better. We need to leave the Fossil Fuel Age behind because we know better. There is no need to wait until the oil runs out, we simply need to get on with creating a new energy economy fit for the challenges of the 21st Century."

Link to Christian's BBC ecoDepot blog

Published and promoted by Christian Vassie, 10 Blake Court, Wheldrake, York YO19 6BT