Solar charging canopy at Auction Mart Car Park, Lancaster

“Agenda Item A6 Application Number 26/00726/FUL Proposal Erection of canopy with solar panel array on roof slope, installation of EV charging points, a battery storage cabinet, and alterations to layout within part of car park…”

“Auction Mart Car Park is located within the urban boundary of south Lancaster in between Thurnham Street and Lancaster Canal.”

“The car park is located within the Lancaster Conservation Area and is within the setting of two grade II listed buildings (The Alexandra Hotel c.20m to the west and WRVS Offices c.5m to the north) and the Lancaster Canal which is a non-designated heritage asset. The site is also within a regeneration priority area (policy EC5.2), an air quality management zone and is within the urban boundary of Lancaster.”

“A number of relevant applications relating to this site have previously been received by the Local Planning Authority. These include:”

“25/00998/PREN G2 Pre-application advice for the installation of an electric vehicle charging hub at Auction Mart Car Park CLOSED”

“In this instance, given the level of harm would be very minor, it is considered that the public benefits in the form of providing a form of renewable energy and low carbon travel, would be sufficient enough to outweigh the level of harm that has been identified. It is considered that the harm can be further mitigated by ensuring that the colour, finish and appearance of the columns and canopy frame are of a subdued colour in order to limit visual impact.”

“The proposal would provide for a form of renewable energy without any adverse impacts on residential amenity or parking and highway matters. The proposal does result in a low level of less than substantial harm to the significance of the conservation area and listed buildings via their setting but this harm would be outweighed by the public benefits of the scheme.”

“Statutory and non-statutory representations A summary of the comments received from statutory and non-statutory consultees is provided below.”

“Consultee Responses Conservation Officer No Objection subject to securing the following conditions/comments:”

“It was proposed by Councillor Sandra Thornberry and seconded by Councillor Tom Fish:”

“That the application be approved subject to the conditions in the Committee Report, and subject to an additional condition regarding additional ground investigation compliance.”

“Upon being put to the vote, 11 Councillors voted in favour of the proposal with none against and no abstentions, whereupon the Chair declared the proposal to have been carried.”

“That the application be approved subject to an additional condition regarding additional ground investigation compliance, and subject to the following conditions:”