THE Darlington offices of the Environment Agency are to undergo a complete eco-friendly revamp.

The organisation's Yarm Road industrial estate headquarters will become a green dream after plans were drawn up for environmentally-friendly power sources.

The system will see a wind turbine and an underground geo-thermal heating system installed at the Teesdale House office.

"The Environment Agency is committed to reducing the environmental footprint of its own activities," said Paul Thomas, the agency's regional facilities manager.

"In 2005, we established an internal carbon reduction fund to support projects that would reduce CO2 emissions.

"The project would also act as a learning tool internally and externally to encourage the use of new technology."

Last month, the agency submitted plans to Darlington Borough Council to build a 17.5 metre-high micro wind turbine behind Teesdale House. The generator would provide the office with electricity and reduce its carbon footprint.

The site was one of two in the UK to be chosen after officials studied Met Office wind data to confirm that the site would be subject to strong enough winds to power the turbine.

A second eco-power source project is also being lined up, and an application was submitted this week to install a ground source heat pump beneath the building's car park.

If planning approval is granted, up to ten boreholes will be drilled 100 metres below the surface to use the earth's natural geothermal energy to power the office's heating system.

The system would be entirely below the surface and would reduce its carbon output to zero.

Teesdale House would be the first Environment Agency branch in the country to have such a system.

"Darlington has been chosen as the only location nationally to be funded for a ground source heat pump," said Mr Thomas.

"We currently use gas to heat the building, which produces 11 tonnes of C02.

"The new system will provide heating and hot water to the site, but produce no CO2."

The system is designed to have a 50-year lifespan, and will be used as a resource to teach other companies about alternative energy.

"We will use the knowledge and experience gained from this project to assist other micro-generation projects.

"Interested groups will be helped with on-site briefings and project management advice."

The plans are available to view at the town hall, Feethams, Darlington.