Council rules no planning permission required for installation of Carlisle College solar panels

Author: LDRS, Ian DuncanPublished 29th Oct 2024

Plans to install solar panels on the roof of Carlisle College do not need planning permission planners at Cumberland Council have ruled.

The application was for the installation of a roof mounted 60kwp solar PV array and, according to Monday’s (October 28) decision notice, prior approval is not required for the Strand Road site.

According to a planning report the proposed layout utilises the existing roof slopes of the modern sections of the building.

The report states: “The panels would be positioned on three parallel, standing seam roof slopes that face south eastwards.

“These roof slopes are visible from the adjacent highway but are orientated away from the road and have a shallow pitch and are not unduly prominent in the street scene.

“The panels would occupy sections of the roofs and not cover them entirely, and would be sited so far as practicable, to minimise the effect on the amenity of the area.

“The panels would be in keeping with the modern appearance of the building’s standing seam roofs.”

According to the report, although the site is within a conservation area, the work would be seen solely in the context of the modern building and dual carriageway.

It adds: “The solar panels would be of an acceptable scale and design. Overall, the design and nature of the proposal is acceptable in relation to the use of the site and the solar panels would not detract from the character or appearance of the area.”

According to the report the solar panels would be more than 26m away from the nearest residential properties.

It states: “The Highways Authority has confirmed that the solar panels, which are designed to absorb light and not reflect it, would not have an adverse impact on highway safety.

“Overall, it is not considered that the development would have an adverse impact upon occupiers of neighbouring land through glare.”

The report concludes: “In overall terms, the proposed development would be acceptable and prior approval is not required based on the information provided.”

And, according to a separate planning statement the site was redeveloped approximately 10 years ago and it retained some of the original brick buildings along the Strand Road frontage, with the larger modern elements of the building behind.

It adds: “The site lies within the Chatsworth Square/Portland Square Conservation Area. The western end of the building adjoins the dual carriageway, with its floor level being below the road level.

“The building is enclosed by terraced properties to the south and east. The panels would be positioned on three parallel, standing seam roof slopes that face south eastwards.”