954 roof solar panels at The Forum Theatre Town Centre, Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees

“25/0667/LBC The Forum Theatre , Town Centre, Billingham Listed Building Consent for the installation of PV panels to roof.”

“SUMMARY Listed Building Consent is sought for the installation of 954no PV panels to the roof of The Forum Theatre, Billingham.”

“BACKGROUND 1. The Forum Theatre is a Grade II listed building (Ref: 09/0005/II).”

“SITE AND SURROUNDINGS 3. The application site, hereby referred to as the Site, is The Forum Theatre which is a Grade II listed building located within Billingham Town Centre. The building is located towards the eastern end of Billingham Town Centre with Kingsway located along the eastern boundary with Kennedy Gardens (residential apartments) beyond this. The Causeway located to the north.”

“The Forum, although listed, is a modern in appearance building. The siting of the PV panels would be positioned away from the roof edge and would be further screened by the parapet walls to The Forum’s roof edge. It is not considered that the PV panels would be visible from street level.”

“Given the benefits the PV panels would bring, and the limited harm caused to the listed building, the application is therefore minded for approval.”

“Officers are satisfied that the proposed PV panels would not be visible above the roof edge and parapets of the existing building. The panels would also be using an anti- glare/nonreflective glass which would in turn reduce any visual impact regarding glare or reflectiveness to the building itself. Hence, it is considered that the proposed works will not have a detrimental impact on the visual amenity of the Listed Building.”

“This document was classified as: OFFICIAL would be temporary in nature being placed on the roof of The Forum; generally, the alterations are reversible and would assist in improving the building's performance and on this specific occasion and would therefore have a negligible impact upon the character and special interest of the Listed Building and the character, appearance and historic significance of the listed building.”

“A vote took place and the application was approved.”

“RESOLVED that planning application 25/0667/LBC be approved subject to the following conditions and informatives;”

“Approved Plans The development hereby approved shall be in accordance with the following approved plan(s); Plan Reference Number Date Received…”

“INFORMATIVE OF REASON FOR PLANNING APPROVAL Informative: Working Practices The Local Planning Authority found the submitted details satisfactory subject to the imposition of appropriate planning conditions and has worked in a positive and proactive manner in dealing with the planning application.”