Harrow Council has unveiled plans to build one of the most environmentally friendly leisure centres in the country.

The eco-friendly plans for the £37.2m centre include reclaiming 800 cubic metres of rainwater per year from the roof, enough to fill the 25m swimming pool twice over, and harnessing outgoing warm air from the swimming pool, reducing the cost of heating the building by 75 per cent.

The council also plans to ventilate the sports hall using natural air gathered from ‘wind catchers’ on the roof, while solar panels and 30 vacuum tubes – which pre-heat cold water using the sun – will be used to provide 20 per cent of the centre’s hot water consumption.

Javed Khan, director of community and cultural services for the council, said: “This new gym will reduce the leisure centre’s carbon footprint by more than 20 per cent.

“By using this technology, we also hope to save a lot of money on our heating, electricity and water bills.”

David Lambert, architect at Kier Group, which has produced the initial designs for the building, said: “These eco-friendly designs will go along way to reduce the centre’s impact on the environment.”

The proposals are currently being considered by council planners and if planning permission is granted, the council hopes to begin building work later this year.