HAMPSHIRE County Council’s £40m revamped Winchester headquarters has won another green accolade.

Elizabeth II Court has achieved an “excellent” BREEAM rating, the UK basis for measuring energy efficiency of buildings.

Council chiefs say the highest possible rating was achieved with the help of leading consultants in sustainable design.

The new-look building, which officially opened in December 2009, has also been cited by the Carbon Trust as one of the UK’s top low-carbon buildings and the regional winner of the British Council for Offices Awards Recycled/Refurbished workplaces.

County chiefs say sustainability is at the heart of the refurbishment as the concrete core of the 1960s building was retained while the external walls were re-clad in more traditional brick. The council says the building’s energy consumption has been halved through better insulation and more efficient heating and lighting systems.

In addition, waste heat from the computer centre is recycled to heat the building in winter months.

The Department of Communities and Local Government has also cited the building as best practice case study for rationalising office space and introducing new work practices.

Other council offices have been sold as extra staff have moved into Elizabeth II Court.

The £40m cost of the scheme included building costs, new furniture, consultant fees, buying temporary offices at Capital House in City Road and an alternative car park at Bar End.