Planning and PV?

[Alan Ambrose]

We had an NMA refused just before Xmas which was largely concerned with PV panels. This was the relevant text:

 

"The proposed alteration to the roof materials of part of the dwelling and the cart lodge would 
result in a markedly more contemporary appearance of the approved dwelling which is within 
the setting of a listed building which would amount to a material change in the design and its 
potential impact on the heritage asset."

 

The proposal was to cover the roof of the barn furthest from the road with PV panels and change the look of the resulting ~300mm border from pantiles to trapezoidal metal - so it would blend in better.

 

Sure, adding PV panels (which were described on the original application but not shown on the drawings) will make the look 'more contemporary' - but WTF, this isn't the 1950s. The 'heritage asset' btw is a farmhouse a 100m or so away - there are a couple of thousand of those in Suffolk.

 

In my next application I will point out that we will be able to install PV under PD anyway but I notice this in the PD regs:

 

A2  Development is permitted by Class A subject to the following conditions—

(a)solar PV or solar thermal equipment is, so far as practicable, sited so as to minimise its effect on the external appearance of the building;

(b)solar PV or solar thermal equipment is, so far as practicable, sited so as to minimise its effect on the amenity of the area;

 

So, some wiggle room for the LPA.

 

Thoughts?

 

 

 

[JohnMo]

51 minutes ago, Alan Ambrose said:

install PV under PD anyway

Not with a listed building on site.

 

Ground mount them?

 

 

[Alan Ambrose]

>>> Not with a listed building on site.

 

Interestingly, there is a neighbour between us and the farmhouse and they installed roof mounted PV panels recently.

 

As PD hasn't been removed here and you don't have to specifically apply for permission to use PD (err permitted, duh), I wonder when and how the A2 PD conditions come into effect. Presumably not after you have installed the panels.

 

>>> Ground mount them?

 

I don't believe we have the space to ground mount them and then they would likely be subject to shading from tall trees.

 

I've just submitted a MMA for the PV - at least I can take that to appeal.

[BotusBuild]

And you need PP for ground mounted systems (in England anyway). My sister- and brother-in-law are doing this now.

[SteamyTea]

Roof integrated them, would hardly be noticeable to a passerby.

Maybe a few pictures of solar slates as an example, put point out that there may be a difference.

 

I drove past this place a lot and never realised it had PV, and on closer inspection, it could have been a much better installation.