A small Maltese company, only formed last year, has just received planning consent to build one of the most innovative and environmentally friendly hotels in Europe.

The 260 guest 5* hotel will be built on the site of a former monastery in SW France using a range of highly innovative technologies, which allow both rapid construction and some of the highest levels of insulation available. This enables the buildings to remain at around 21c year round, with minimal heating and cooling. By reducing the amount of electricity needed throughout the year it is possible for the hotel to use only electricity generated by renewable sources, including wind and solar power.

Another key element of the project is the high level of recycling of the demolition waste, with no materials scheduled to leave the site. Once operational, all green and organic waste is recycled onsite as is rainwater, the overall result is that the project has no negative impact on the environment, yet will create around 150 full time jobs.

According to the company's Managing Director, Graham Brown, "the use of technology is essential if we are to reduce the impact on future generations. If we as a small company with limited resources can achieve this, so can larger established developers".

This environmental approach is also seemingly supported by Maltese citizens who have invested in this exciting eco friendly hotel.