REFUSED: 18 Solar Panels On The Roof of the Out-Building to a Listed Farmhouse, Grange Road

NK/2022/0697 Geddington (Broughton),North Northampstonshire Council

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This is not uncommon, the main farm here is a Grade II listed building, and this means any alterations to the exterior are sensitive. usually, if the owner would like to add solar panels, then they are encouraged to keep them away from the buildings, maybe ground mounted on adjacent land.

The addition of solar panels is undoubtedly going to have a visual impact on the listed building, hence the planning decision. The applicant does state that they would not damage the building and would be fully reversible but when might this be the case, the panels could be there for 50 years. The only bizarre issue is that the adjacent buildings appear to have solar panels on the roof, and effectively this makes the decision appear unreasonable.

PAPA Says - It would be good to discuss the alternatives with the conservation officer, and discuss the context and the neighbouring properties, but the fact that they have panels does not set a precedent, and so the best way forward is to try and some to a compromise with the Conservation Officer.

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