OP
TedM
The Permitted Development rules were changed for conservation areas. Originally the legislation excluded solar panels on roofs and walls that were visible from a highway. But this was later changed (1st October 2008 in England) so that only panels on walls were disallowed.
Many councils have not got up-to-date on this change and continue to give out the wrong advice.
If you are in a conservation area then you can install panels on a roof even if it is visible from a highway. Of course, all the other conditions that apply have to be complied with - 200mm, max height, etc. and assuming that PD rights have not been removed altogether.
In terms of getting written clarification from a council the only thing that would have any standing would be a Certificate of Lawful Use or Development. Anything else will contain provisos that make it of no value. (This happens to be something that irks me greatly.) See Planning Portal - Lawful Development Certificate for more detail.
Many councils have not got up-to-date on this change and continue to give out the wrong advice.
If you are in a conservation area then you can install panels on a roof even if it is visible from a highway. Of course, all the other conditions that apply have to be complied with - 200mm, max height, etc. and assuming that PD rights have not been removed altogether.
In terms of getting written clarification from a council the only thing that would have any standing would be a Certificate of Lawful Use or Development. Anything else will contain provisos that make it of no value. (This happens to be something that irks me greatly.) See Planning Portal - Lawful Development Certificate for more detail.
