Somerset Council: Chris Miell is pleased to announce that he has secured planning permission within the Wells Conservation Area for a change of use of the first and second floors of an existing commercial property to 9 person House in Multiple Occupation (sui generis use) with associated external works including the insertion of a replacement windows and doors and the installation of photovoltaic panels.
As part of the change of use the applicant wanted to improve the thermal efficiency of the building and limit its reliance upon fossil fuel energy. Therefore, external works were proposed including the installation windows on the front elevation and uPVC windows to the rear and photovoltaic panels.
The photovoltaic panels will be installed on the two south facing roof slopes of the building, one of which is the principal façade and faces onto High Street. The panels will provide a renewable source of energy for the residents of the respective HMOs, including the communal areas, with the potential to sell any surplus renewable energy back to the grid.
Within the immediate area, there are currently no photovoltaic panels present, which is not uncommon given that the site is located within a historic environment, which is a designated heritage asset, and includes several listed buildings which are located along High Street. However, this did not dissuade Chris from submitting an application on behalf of his clients.
The application was well received by the statutory consultees, including Wells City Council, but the Conservation Officer was opposed to the proposed external changes, in particular the photovoltaic panels on the principal façade. Chris negotiated on client’s behalf and highlighted to the Council that permitted development rights now allow the installation of photovoltaic panels on the front roof slope of non-listed buildings in conservation areas (Schedule 2, Part 14, Class J of the GPDO).
Following this, a compromise was reached whereby the array on the principal façade was reduced to align with what could be installed as permitted development, but the other larger photovoltaic array on the inner roof valley could remain at full capacity.
Upon receipt of amended plans, the application was approved with the Planning Officer concluding “The proposal by reason of its design, siting, scale, massing, layout and materials is acceptable and contributes and responds to the local context and maintains the character and appearance of the surrounding area. The proposal accords with Development Policies 1, 3 and 7 of the adopted Local Plan Part 1 (2014) and Parts 12 and 16 of the National Planning Policy Framework.”
If you would like to explore the installation of photovoltaic panels at your property, why not give Pure Town Planning a call or email us for an initial consultation to see what we can do for you. We are a company that prides ourselves on our technical expertise, including an up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and permitted development rights, which we can utilise to benefit our clients.