Plans to redevelop an ageing St Albans community centre into an eco-friendly facility have been given the go ahead.

St Albans District Council wants to redevelop Fleetville Community Centre in Royal Road into a new community facility which aims to be larger, more energy-efficient and sustainable.

Among the proposed features are a main hall, three or more meeting rooms, a children’s suite, café, kitchen, toilets and an outdoor space.

Climate control assets would include solar panels, heat pumps, water harvesting devices, electric vehicle charging points and green walls or roof.

Fleetville Community Centre has been used for a variety of activities including playgroups, yoga, Weight Watchers and an accordion club, but the council says the building is in "poor structural condition" and "expensive and inefficient to heat".

The council, which owns the building, is in talks with the charitable trust which runs it and users of the centre about how it can be redeveloped.

To finance the project, the council will look to use income gained from developing a corner of the site or from development projects elsewhere in the district.

Councillor Robert Donald, portfolio holder for commercial, development and wellbeing, said: "We are determined to deliver a first-class and inclusive community centre that will meet the needs of local people of all ages, cultures and interests; a centre that will also be equipped with the best and most up to date climate change sustainability features such as solar panels and rainwater harvesting.

"We will continue to consult with residents, user groups and the Fleetville Community Centre Trust which runs the facility as we regenerate the site to ensure the new facility meets the needs of the whole community in this area of St. Albans.

"We will particularly have to hold talks now with the Charity Commission as soon as possible to seek their agreement to our proposed redevelopment project and means of funding this."

Trevor Parsons, chairman of the Fleetville Community Centre Trust, added: "We are delighted to partner the council to replace the existing building which has done sterling service and is held in great affection by the community for over nearly eighty years."