Balancing modern sustainability with heritage conservation.
Many homeowners and developers want to embrace renewable energy but are deterred by the complexity of planning rules and question whether Planning Approval is even required for it. This was the case for our recent client who lives in the Polnoon/Picketlaw, Eaglesham housing development . We guided them through the planning permission process, working with the Solar Supplier to ensure that the solar panels did not compromise the aesthetic value of the property.
Here is what we learned at the outset:
We discovered that with the Polnoon/Picketlaw, Eaglesham housing development, Permitted Development Rights have been removed by the council as part of the original planning approval conditions despite not being exactly in the conservation area of Eaglesham village. A bit of an anomaly.
Our first port of call was to contact East Renfrewshire planning. They told us that Planning approval would be required. Therefore, we provided the client with Planning drawings which consisted of existing and proposed elevations.
We did not provide the specification (type of panel, number of panels, orientation etc), the client got this from the Solar Panel supplier/installer. We are happy to work with suppliers to get the most efficient, aesthetic and/or cost-effective solution for the client.
The client had the solar panel design ready for us when we got involved with the project so this saved us time and it was only a matter of fitting the project into our schedule. It is our aim to turn these types of drawings around in 2 weeks from our appointment going forward. Planning took 6 and a half weeks from submission to respond with approval. This included a 21-day neighbour notification period.
In Scotland, installing solar panels in a conservation area typically requires planning permission due to the sensitive nature of such areas, where alterations to the appearance of buildings are more tightly regulated to preserve the historic or aesthetic character.
However, there are some exceptions and guidelines to consider:
Permitted Development Rights (PDRs): In some cases, solar panels may be installed under permitted development rights, meaning planning permission is not required. But in conservation areas, these rights are usually more restricted. The rules can depend on factors such as:
The location of the panels (e.g., if they are placed on the rear or side of the property rather than the front).
The impact on the building’s character or the wider conservation area.
The size and scale of the installation.
Listed Buildings: If your property is listed (i.e., a building of special historical or architectural interest), you will need listed building consent in addition to planning permission.
Aesthetic Impact: Planning authorities are often concerned about how solar panels affect the visual impact of a building in a conservation area, particularly on the principal elevations that face public roads.
Roof Placement: Panels installed on flat roofs, or in less visible locations, may be more likely to be accepted without planning permission, but again this is subject to local authority guidelines.
What You Should Do:
Consult the local planning authority: Before proceeding, you should contact your local council’s planning department (East Renfrewshire in our client’s case) for advice specific to your property and its location within the conservation area.
Submit a planning application: If required, you will need to submit an application detailing the installation. It is always safer to check beforehand to avoid fines or being asked to remove the panels.
It’s also worth noting that some councils are becoming more supportive of solar installations in conservation areas as part of wider efforts to promote sustainability, but they still balance this with conservation priorities.
Our Planning Permission Consultation and Application Services
As a result of our recent project in Polnoon/Picketlaw, Eaglesham we are looking to offer a tailored service where we can manage the entire planning permission process for the installation of solar panels. Our services would include:
Liaising with local planning authorities on behalf of the client.
Preparation of planning applications and listed building consent if needed.
Working with local authorities to achieve a design that meets regulations while ensuring energy efficiency.
On top of these core services relating to Solar Panels, we can also look to help you with advice on improving insulation, installing energy-efficient windows, and integrating solar solutions in ways that reduce the overall environmental impact without detracting from the building’s historical charm.
If you would like us to create 3D or photo realistic visualisations or mock-ups that show how the panels will look once installed to reassure you we can also look to help you with this.
Get in touch with us if you have any questions or if you would like us to quote you for any of the services mentioned in this article.