We get asked this question frequently.
I had an email from the conservation officer of Rushcliffe asking us to expand on this with more detail, and I am grateful to him (Tom Street) for this request.
For most areas, since 2008, the planning rules have been relaxed so that alternative technology solutions (such as PV panels or solar thermal) are usually deemed to be 'permitted development' unless they project more than 200mm from the roof or wall surface. The Town and Country Planning amendment document explains the rules more fully.
A polite visit or exchange of letters with the planning officer (not a full fee-paid application) is usually enough to re-assure you that you can proceed.
Conservation Areas are 'areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance'. Designation gives control over the demolition or alteration of buildings and provides the basis for policies designed to preserve or enhance all the aspects of character or appearance that define an area's special interest. (Section 69 of the Civic Amenities Act 1967)
There are 29 conservation areas in Rushcliffe (e.g. Edwalton village). Rushcliffe's website lists the conservation areas, and the rules applying to conservation areas. (They are not against solar panels in principle, you just have to be smarter about positioning them, eg, avoiding defacing prime views of the building). In this case an application would be required, but your solar installer (or Rushcliffe Solar) could help with a photo-montage to display how the panels might look.
If for some reason you discontinue using your solar panels, you are requested politely to remove them, to restore the appearance of the building. Tom Street tstreet@rushcliffe.gov.uk is the conservation officer for Rushcliffe Borough and can answer detailed questions on this.
Listed Building If you have one of these, you have a higher planning threshold to jump, although all Local Authorities recognise the need to respect the movement towards energy sustainability. It may be possible to provide solar power in a discreet way (e.g. in a roof valley). This needs to be discussed with your conservation officer.
I had an email from the conservation officer of Rushcliffe asking us to expand on this with more detail, and I am grateful to him (Tom Street) for this request.
For most areas, since 2008, the planning rules have been relaxed so that alternative technology solutions (such as PV panels or solar thermal) are usually deemed to be 'permitted development' unless they project more than 200mm from the roof or wall surface. The Town and Country Planning amendment document explains the rules more fully.
A polite visit or exchange of letters with the planning officer (not a full fee-paid application) is usually enough to re-assure you that you can proceed.
Conservation Areas are 'areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance'. Designation gives control over the demolition or alteration of buildings and provides the basis for policies designed to preserve or enhance all the aspects of character or appearance that define an area's special interest. (Section 69 of the Civic Amenities Act 1967)
There are 29 conservation areas in Rushcliffe (e.g. Edwalton village). Rushcliffe's website lists the conservation areas, and the rules applying to conservation areas. (They are not against solar panels in principle, you just have to be smarter about positioning them, eg, avoiding defacing prime views of the building). In this case an application would be required, but your solar installer (or Rushcliffe Solar) could help with a photo-montage to display how the panels might look.
If for some reason you discontinue using your solar panels, you are requested politely to remove them, to restore the appearance of the building. Tom Street tstreet@rushcliffe.gov.uk is the conservation officer for Rushcliffe Borough and can answer detailed questions on this.
Listed Building If you have one of these, you have a higher planning threshold to jump, although all Local Authorities recognise the need to respect the movement towards energy sustainability. It may be possible to provide solar power in a discreet way (e.g. in a roof valley). This needs to be discussed with your conservation officer.
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