Consideration was given to the recommendation from the Strategic Planning Board regarding a Notice of Motion submitted to the Council meeting on 13 October 2011, which suggested that the Council should notify any enquirers that planning permission was not required for the installation of Photovoltaic Roof Panels and to cease to require details, drawings or charges except for listed buildings or conservation areas for which permission is still required.
Part 40 of the Town & Country Planning (General Development Permitted Development) Order 1995 (as amended) granted extensive permitted development rights to householders wishing to establish solar panels on their property. In most cases planning permission was, therefore, not required. However planning consent may be required if the solar panels exceeded a certain size or occupied a certain position either on or within the grounds of a property. These parameters were clearly detailed within the specific legislation but were also simplified on the Council’s website where residents could access links to an interactive ‘virtual’ house.
The Constitution Committee had recommended that the Council should continue to adopt the approach as advocated within the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order.
RESOLVED
That the Council continue to adopt the approach as advocated within the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order.