STRAW bales and sheep's wool are the novel materials being proposed for a new sustainability resource centre as part of a £33m new school develop-ment in Wimborne.

A new planning appli-cation has now been submitted for the centre at Queen Elizabeth's School at Pamphill, which is being rebuilt under the Schools for the Future programme.

The plan is to redevelop and extend Farthing Hall, which will house temporary classrooms while work is completed before being transformed into a resource centre at the end.

Headteacher Andy Puttock said: "The resource centre will be built of straw bales with sheep's wool as insulation in the floor. It's not just about alternative energy, it's about healthy living and sustaining a healthy lifestyle too."

The centre will feature wind catchers and solar panels but will also be home to a Teenage Life advice centre, exhibition and drama space and a cafe for the use of students and the public, which it is hoped will use Fairtrade goods.

A planning application for the whole school development was submitted last year. Objections came from residents of The Broads, where exits to and from the school and the adjacent leisure centre are planned.

Residents, parish, county and district councillors, met with project managers David Crudgington and David Diaz this month.

Revised plans have been submitted including changes to the road layout to allay concerns over traffic along The Broads, including a new junction giving way to traffic along The Broads.

If planning permission is granted work on the project could start in July.