Roof-mounted solar panels at 30 Meer Street, Stratford-upon-Avon
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Stratford On Avon Planning Committee on 8 Apr 2026.
What was proposed
The application proposed installing a roof-mounted photovoltaic array on the south-east elevation.
“Application Ref. 26/00240/FUL Site Address: Meer Street, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6QB Description of Development: Installation of a roof mounted photovoltaic array to the south-east elevation.”
Officer report
Earlier applications
Earlier applications included granted access works, refused residential conversion proposals and a permitted change of use to two flats.
“Proposal Decision and date 24/03154/AMD The erection of an external staircase and pedestrian access door to the rear facade. GRANTED 16.12.2024 24/02624/FUL The erection of an external staircase and pedestrian access door to the rear facade. GRANTED 10.12.2024 23/02455/FUL Erection of external private access staircase. Replacement glazing throughout the upper levels. Change of use of upper levels from office to dwellinghouse, to create 2no. residential units.”
“06/03200/FUL Three storey building, change of use from shop (A1) to estate agents, financial services (A2). GRANTED 22.12.2006 96/00214/PDEV NEW CORPORATE SIGNAGE PERMITTED 15.07.1996 96/00184/PDEV PROPOSED ALTERATION TO EXISTING FASCIA SIGNS AND FRONT OF BUILDING PERMITTED 01.04.1996 84/00956/FUL PROPOSED EXTERNAL STAIRCASE AND NEW DOOR OPENING PERMITTED 19.12.1984”
Officer report
Officers’ recommendation
Officers recommended refusal because the panels would harm the street scene and Conservation Area, and limited public benefits would not outweigh that harm.
“In the above sections of this report, it has been identified that the proposal would fail to accord with the prevailing character of the area, and would cause less than substantial harm to the Conservation Area, I afford the harm to the visual amenities of the area and Conservation Area, significant adverse weight.”
“Whilst the application property is not a private dwelling, it is a private property and therefore the economic benefits of saving money on energy bills or selling energy produced back to the national grid is a mainly a private benefit as concluded above.”
Officer report
Appearance and heritage
The panels would cover almost all the roof slope, appear prominent and reflective, disrupt the terrace, and cause less than substantial harm to the Conservation Area.
“The proposed solar panels would be installed on the southeast elevation roof slope. The solar panels would cover almost all of this roof slope and would extend up to a maximum of 20cm from the plane of the roof slope, when viewed from a side cross section.”
“The proposal would see the introduction of a raised glazed surface, projecting 20cm higher than the roof slope covering all of the properties front roof slope. When viewed in direct comparison with the adjacent properties in the terrace and adjacent properties, the solar panels would become a prominent feature which would stand out visually within the street scene.”
Officer report
Consultation responses
The town council supported renewable energy, while ecology raised no objection subject to a bat note, highways had no comments and environmental health raised no objection.
“Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council Comment: Support the application due to it involving technologies for renewable energy creation.”
“Warwickshire County Council Ecology (WCC Ecology): Comment: No objection subject to bat note Date: 04/03/2026”
Officer report
Who spoke
A representative of the Net Zero Climate Hub, identified as a tenant, spoke in support of the application.
The committee vote
A motion to refuse the application in line with the recommendation was proposed and seconded, then passed by 8 votes to 2, with 1 abstention.
“Having considered the application and the representations made at the meeting, a Motion of REFUSE, in accordance with the recommendation detailed in the report, was proposed by Councillor Ballinger and seconded by Councillor Parry.”
“Thereafter, by 8 votes in favour to 2 votes against, with 1 abstention, it was…”
Minutes
The decision
The committee refused the application for the two reasons and one note contained in the report.
“That Planning Application 26/00240/FUL be REFUSED for the following reasons:”
“2 reasons contained in the report; and • 1 note contained in the report.”
Minutes
Sources
- Stratford On Avon Planning Committee minutes, 8 April 2026
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Stratford On Avon's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Committee
- Stratford On Avon Planning Committee
- Council
- Stratford On Avon
- Date
- Wednesday 8 April 2026
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended refusal
- Committee decided
- Refused
- Vote
- 8 for refusal, 2 against, 1 abstained
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- View application →
- All decisions
- Stratford On Avon committee decisions →
Source: Plota analysis of the minutes.
This committee's year
26 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 4 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.