Rooftop solar panels at Windrush Leisure Centre, Witney

The site

The building is an existing leisure centre in Witney, with the panels positioned on its flat roof.

“This application is a notification for a determination as to whether the prior approval of the Local Planning Authority is required for the installation of a solar panel PV system to flat roof areas of the Windrush Leisure Centre on Witan Way in Witney. The building which is the subject of the proposed application is a leisure centre within Witney.”

“The application proposes the installation of replacement rooftop solar panels which are to be 187kWP. They are to be all black solar panels and they will use low profile panel mounting which will minimise the visual impact.”

Officer report

Officers’ assessment

Officers considered that the panels met the relevant criteria and that prior approval was not required.

“The solar PV equipment would be sited on an existing leisure centre in a mixed use area in the centre of town. In addition, the proposed solar panels are to be of low visual impact. In addition, there have been no material planning objections received from neighbouring properties.”

“In assessing this application against the criteria of Schedule 2, Part 14, Class J of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, officers consider that prior approval is not required for the proposed installation of solar panels to the existing leisure centre building.”

Officer report

Responses received

No consultation comments or third-party representations had been received.

“No third party representations have been received to date.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A planner presented the application and explained that it was before the committee because the council owned the property.

Committee discussion

Members confirmed that the council-owned status was why the application was before the committee.

“The Chair invited the Sub-Committee to discuss the application which raised the following points: • It was confirmed that the application was before the sub-committee because the property was owned by West Oxfordshire District Council.”

Minutes

The vote

A proposal to approve the application in line with officer recommendations was seconded and passed unanimously.

“Councillor Dan Levy proposed the Sub-Committee approve the application in line with officer recommendations. This was seconded by Councillor David Melvin and put to the vote. Voting Record – the vote was unanimous.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee approved the application in line with officer recommendations.

“The Sub-Committee Resolved to: Committee approve the application in line with officer recommendations.”

Minutes

Conditions attached

The equipment must minimise effects on the building and area and be removed when no longer needed.

“The solar PV equipment is, so far as practicable, sited so as to minimise its effect on the external appearance of the building.”

“The solar PV equipment is removed as soon as reasonably practicable when no longer needed.”

Officer report