Agenda item

To consider an application for the installation of 12.12kWp Solar Photovoltaic to the roof.

RESOLVED

That Officers be given delegated authority to GRANT planning application 2024/0407/FUL contrary to the Officer’s recommendation, subject to evidence being provided by the applicant to demonstrate that the building would be capable of supporting the weight of the panels and associated elements. The benefits of the scheme outweighed the harms identified to heritage assets.

Votes – Unanimous

The Officer’s Report stated that the application had been referred to the Planning Committee as the recommendation to refuse differed to that of Frome Town Council, which supported the application.

The report continued that the proposal, by reason of its scale and visual prominence on the southeast roof slope, would have a negative impact to the significance of the non-designated heritage asset (the Chapel) and to the Conservation Area, and would have a harmful impact to the designated Gateway Site within Frome. Whilst there were private benefits associated with the proposal and modest environmental benefits in reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable development, there were no specific public benefits to be gained from the scheme. No evidence had been provided to confirm that the building would be capable of supporting the additional weight of the panels and other associated internal elements. On balance, Officers had concluded that the benefits of the scheme did not outweigh the harms identified. The recommendation was therefore for refusal.

The Planning Officer explained the application to the Committee with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation.

The first speaker was from Frome Town Council who was generally supportive and made the comment that the townscape had already been greatly improved by the work done to the building and the surrounding garden by the applicants.

The Divisional Member also spoke in support of the application. He said that a structural survey had been carried out which showed the roof could take the extra weight of the solar panels. He said that Members should take into account the benefits of solar energy in this climate emergency and approve anything that would lead to environmental improvements.

The applicant was then invited to speak. She made the following comments:

• The building is used to run a charity for children in Frome.
• The building has been brought back to life from a previously unkempt eyesore.
• The desire is to power the building using solar energy.
• Frome Town Council support the application.
• The concerns of the environmental officer are unfounded as the structural survey has shown the roof is strong enough for the panels. The PV converters will not be located on the roof.
• The building is not listed, and the panels will only be visible from the residential street.
• Everything has been done to minimise the visual impact and have coloured the panels to match the roof tiles.

In the discussion which followed, Members commended the charity on the work done to improve the building and site. They noted that this was a heritage building that had been brought back to life and would be preserved. There were important environmental benefits in reducing carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. As the benefits would outweigh the harms, Members were in agreement that, subject to evidence being provided that the building would be capable of supporting the weight of the panels, approval should be granted.

At the conclusion of the debate, it was proposed by Councillor Adam Boyden and seconded by Councillor Martin Lovell to approve the application, contrary to the Officer’s Recommendation, subject to proof that the roof could withstand the extra weight of the panels being submitted to the Council.

On being put to the vote, the proposal was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED

That Officers be given delegated authority to GRANT planning application 2024/0407/FUL contrary to the Officer’s recommendation, subject to evidence being provided by the applicant to demonstrate that the building would be capable of supporting the weight of the panels and associated elements. The benefits of the scheme outweighed the harms identified to heritage assets.

Votes – Unanimous