conservation village

[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.

 

[Del Boy]

Ah good point. It clearly says wall mounted in bold in that link I attached!

Well now I know!

 

[solarcat]

They will need to speak with the local conservation officer who will advise on the planning application procedure.

You might need to help them suggest how to minimise the visual impact of the PV: could integrate the modules into the roof so that they don't stick out too much, could use black modules or even solar tiles.