Solar panels on museum roof at Dean Heritage Centre, Cinderford

What was proposed

The application sought Listed Building consent for PV panels and associated cables on the roof covering gallery 1, the café and the library.

“Installation of PV panels and associated cables on the roof which covers gallery 1, the cafe and the library.”

Officer report

The site

The heritage centre includes a museum and other visitor facilities; the large mill is Grade II listed and the café building is curtilage listed.

“SITE DESCRIPTION The Dean Heritage Centre is situated in the Soudley Valley. Its mission is to document and preserve the social and industrial history of the region and its inhabitants. The centre includes a museum, a millpond with a working waterwheel, a forester's cottage with a garden and animals, as well as art and craft exhibitions, workshops, and trails through the surrounding woodlands.”

“II “Former corn mill called "Camp Mill", now museum. 1876. Rubblestone, slate roof with continuous row of roof lights to west. 3 storeys and attic. Single range. 5 windows (3 on 2nd floor), segmental headed with stone voussoirs and central horizontal hopper lights. 4 doors on ground floor, 2 to left are C20 enlargements. Interior altered due to conversion to museum”.”

Officer report

Earlier advice

Earlier pre-application advice supported carefully mounted, non-reflective panels with black frames, and confirmed that both consents were required.

“P1438/24/FUL - Pre-application Advice - Installation of solar PV panels on roof, is planning permission/listed building consent required?”

“Both preapplication enquiries concluding with the following advice: “The modern metal roof of the lean-to link building (Building 1, I believe) could (assuming it is structurally capable of taking the additional load) accommodate solar PV panels if carefully and sensitively mounted within the roof plane, without causing harm.”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended granting consent, and the application came to committee because the site is owned by the district council.

“This application is presented to Committee as the site is in ownership of the Forest of Dean District Council.”

Officer report

Who spoke

No objectors, parish representatives or supporters spoke; a ward member did not speak again after discussing a linked application.

Committee debate

A councillor proposed accepting the officer recommendation, another councillor seconded it, and the Chair set out the consent being voted on.

“Councillor Julia Gooch proposed that they accept the officer’s recommendation.”

“The Chair summed up what was to be voted on. To follow the Officers recommendation and grant consent for the application for Listed Building consent for the Installation of PV panels and associated cables on the roof which covers gallery 1, the cafe and the library.”

Minutes

The vote

Eight councillors voted for the application, with no abstentions and no votes against.

“RESOLVED:- To grant the application for Listed Building consent for the Installation of PV panels and associated cables on the roof which covers gallery 1, the cafe and the library.”

“For (8) Councillors David Wheeler, Dave Tradgett, Beth Llewellyn, Andrew McDermid, Julia Gooch, James Bevan, John Francis, Gill Moseley Abstain (0) Councillors Against (0) Councillors Total (8)”

Minutes