954 roof solar panels at The Forum Theatre Town Centre, Billingham

What was proposed

The application sought permission for 954 photovoltaic panels covering the roof of The Forum Theatre.

“25/0842/FUL The Forum Theatre, Town Centre, Billingham Installation of PV panels to roof.”

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

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site was a Grade II listed theatre in Billingham town centre, near Kingsway and residential apartments at Kennedy Gardens.

“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…”

Officer report

Related planning history

A counterpart listed building consent application for the roof panels was pending consideration.

“A counterpart listed building consent application is pending consideration for the installation of PV panels to the roof. (Ref: 25/0842/FUL).”

Officer report

Why approval was advised

Officers considered the panels would not be visible from street level, would have limited heritage and visual harm, and would not affect neighbours subject to conditions.

“In terms of character considerations and the heritage asset, 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.”

“In terms of amenity, high-rise buildings are nearby (Kennedy Gardens). The applicant has sought to address potential implications arising from glint and glare by using anti-glare/anti-reflective coatings on the PV panels. Subject to the recommended controlling conditions it is not considered that these residents would be impacted by the installation of the PV panels to the roof of The Forum.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The highways manager had no comments, the historic buildings officer had no objections, environmental health accepted the glare measures, and no neighbours commented.

“Highways Transport and Design Manager - No comments.”

“Historic Buildings Officer – No objections to the proposed development.”

Officer report

Who attended

No applicants, agents or members of the public attended the meeting.

Members’ discussion

Members said concerns about effects on Kennedy Gardens residents had been alleviated by anti-glare panels and welcomed the environmental benefits.

“- There had been some initial concerns of the impact of the panels on the residents of Kennedy Gardens however these had now been alleviated due to the panels being antiglare.”

“- The application was welcomed; the panels would be good for the environment and residents that had been consulted were supportive of the scheme.”

Minutes

The committee vote

A vote was held and the application was approved.

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

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to a three-year time limit, approved plans, solar panel restrictions and a working practices informative.

“Solar PV restrictions (a) the solar PV equipment or solar thermal equipment must, so far as practicable, be sited so as to minimise its effect on the external appearance of the building and the amenity of the area; and (b) the solar PV equipment or solar thermal equipment is removed as soon as reasonably practicable when no longer needed. (c) the solar PV equipment or solar thermal equipment shall be covered the with anti- reflective coatings.”

“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.”

Minutes