Roof-mounted solar panels at Guildhall Feoffment Community Primary School, Bury St Edmunds

The site and its setting

The school lies between Bridewell Lane and College Street within the conservation area, alongside listed historic buildings and varied surrounding uses.

“Guildhall Feoffment School is located between Bridewell Lane and College Street, in the centre of Bury St Edmunds. The site comprises a mixture of both historic and modern buildings. The buildings fronting onto Bridewell Lane are Grade II listed – list entry 1031122 and comprise the original school building linked to the former headmaster’s house and the attached walls and gates.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier applications concerned school buildings, temporary classrooms and associated works, and received no objection.

“DC/14/1671/CR3 Regulation 3 Listed Building Application (application on behalf of Suffolk County Council) - Construction of single storey pre-school and studio/dining building with associated facilities. Extension of frontage wall to Bridewell Lane with new pedestrian gate. No Objection 23 September 2014”

Officer report

Why officers supported approval

Officers considered the heritage harm very low and outweighed by renewable energy, carbon reduction, energy cost and community facility benefits.

“Against these benefits, the heritage harm identified by the Conservation Officer is acknowledged. The arrays are confined to modern buildings within the curtilage; nonetheless, their retrofit nature will interrupt otherwise uninterrupted roof planes, resulting in less than substantial harm to the character and appearance of the Conservation Area. In line with NPPF paragraph 212, great weight is afforded to the conservation of designated heritage assets.”

“Bringing these strands together, and having applied the statutory duties under sections 66(1) and 72(1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, the proposal is considered to be in accordance with the development plan when read as a whole, notably LP6, LP35, LP37 and LP40.”

Officer report

Consultation and public views

Historic England had no comments, the town council recommended approval, the ward councillor strongly supported the application, and no public representations were received.

“That based on information received and subject to any Conservation Area and Article 4 issues Bury St Edmunds Town Council recommends APPROVAL”

“No neighbour or public representations received.”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

Councillor Carol Bull proposed approval and Councillor Andy Neal seconded it, while the Service Manager Planning explained the importance of public benefit.

What members discussed

The discussion addressed the weight of public benefit in the planning balance and the need to justify harm to heritage assets.

“In response to comments made in relation to similar applications considered by the Committee in respect of residential properties, the Service Manager Planning explained that the weight of public benefit was key within the planning balance; with the NPPF giving great weight to the conservation of heritage assets and requiring that any harm be clearly justified and outweighed by public benefits.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to conditions requiring commencement within three years and compliance with the approved plans and documents.

“Planning permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:”

“The development hereby permitted shall be begun not later than three years from the date of this permission. The development hereby permitted shall not be carried out except in complete accordance with the details shown on the approved plans and documents, unless otherwise stated.”

Minutes