'Unanimous' approval for solar panels at Durlston Castle
The scheme's been scaled back over concerns about the Grade II listed building.
Unanimous agreement has been given to proposals to fit solar panels to Durlston Castle at Swanage.
The scheme had been scaled back after concerns about fitting the panels to the main building, a grade 2 listed building dating back to 1877.
The revised scheme will see 65 panels on the art gallery roof – enough to produce around 20MW of power each year.
Swanage town council raised no objection to the changes with the Dorset Council’s conservation and design officer commenting that by using only the art gallery roof the ‘harm’ would be largely removed to the setting of the listed building itself.
Funding for the project comes via a £19million grant given to Dorset Council by the Government to help meet the cost of improving energy efficiency of public buildings in the county.
Other solar applications have already been approved including at the Purbeck School and adjoining sports centre; County Hall in Dorchester and at various other school and hall sites throughout the council area.