A business centre, yacht club and port office being built by the River Nene at Wisbech, will have its own wind turbine. News of the addition was revealed this week as the East of England Development Agency began detailed negotiations for construction of t

A business centre, yacht club and port office being built by the River Nene at Wisbech, will have its own wind turbine.

News of the addition was revealed this week as the East of England Development Agency began detailed negotiations for construction of the centre, to be known as The Boathouse.

The oval building, arranged over three storeys and with a butterfly roof, will also include an atrium and flexible and fully serviced office units.

Fellden and Mawson, the company preparing the design brief, says the addition of a wind turbine "will provide a clearly visible source of sustainable electrical energy for The Boathouse".

The company says noise will be minimal so any perceived nuisance to the adjoining site will not be an issue.

Several wind turbines were considered by EEDA before it plumped for a company called Quiet Revolution, which is likely to be commissioned to provide the 150-metre high (to hub) turbine.

Fellden and Mawson says the turbine is the quietest on the market.

Fenland District Council has insisted throughout that developers create the business centre complex to "maximise energy conservation and the use of sustainable materials".

This week's report emphasises the range of environmental issues being tackled including use of low-energy lighting, rainwater harvesting for the flushing of toilets, low usage taps and toilets, high levels of natural day lighting to all areas possible, and heavy use of renewable or recycled materials in constriction.

The Nene waterfront Business Centre, already approved in outline, is being built on land fronting Silver Street, Chase Street, Russell Street and Nene Parade.

A cafe is also included as well as washroom facilities for river users and parking for 85 cars. Part of Nene Parade is being pedestrianised as part of the overall regeneration project which also includes hundreds of riverside homes.