Proposal
Prior Approval request for the installation of solar PV panels on storage building.
Our Response

28 Lambridge Street is a light industrial building within a late 20th century residential region of the Bath conservation area and World Heritage site. It sits to the rear of 1-16 Lambridge Place, a Grade II Georgian terrace, is set well back from the historic streetscape of London Road, and is of a low, 1 ½ storey profile that is of neutral value to the conservation area.

BPT is supportive of the principle for the installation of PV panels onto the roofs of Bath’s existing building stock in light of the current Climate Emergency, as part of a ‘whole home’ approach to energy efficiency. We feel that installation on a contemporary building offers a beneficial opportunity for the sensitive integration of PV technology into the historic environment without the loss of material fabric. The position of the panels on the southern roof slope will be largely concealed by the Lambridge Street roofscape, and therefore will have a less than substantial visual impact on the conservation area.

However, whilst we appreciate that this is a Prior Approval application, we would suggest that the PV panel design accords with Policy SCR2 of the Core Strategy and Placemaking Plan through the use of “monochrome, non-reflective photovoltaic materials”, and sits flush with the roof, to minimise the visual impact on the conservation area and World Heritage site.

Application Number: 20/00936/SOLPA
Application Date: 05/03/2020
Closing Date: 09/04/2020
Address: 28 Lambridge Street, Lambridge
Our Submission Status: Comment