Issue - meetings

Report by Head of Development and Economic Development

The Area Team Leader for Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands spoke to the terms of the report.  He drew Members’ attention to a typographical error at section D of the report and advised that planning application reference 19/01859/PP for re-painting the dwellinghouse was granted on 30 October 2019.  The proposal seeks to discharge a planning obligation under Section 75 of the Act to allow the permanent retention of ten photovoltaic panels on the rear facing roof of an unlisted property within the Port Charlotte Conservation Area.   Planning permission has previously been granted retrospectively, and only on a temporary basis linked to the personal circumstances of the Applicant, for retention of the solar panels after they were installed by the property owner and subject to previous enforcement proceedings.  The current application has come about due to the original Applicant no longer having an interest in the property.  The inheritors now wish to retain the panels but can only do so lawfully if the planning obligation is removed/amended to reflect updated circumstances.  The installed PV panels by virtue of their prominence, location, design and inherent reflective properties are considered to be an uncharacteristic addition to this traditional streetscape and, notwithstanding the limited architectural or historic value of the subject property, the installation neither preserves or enhances the character or appearance of the Port Charlotte Conservation Area and as such is considered to be contrary to the provisions of policies LDP 3, SG LDP ENV 17 and the Sustainable Siting and Design Principles.  It is recommended that the request to discharge the planning obligation from the existing permission be refused.

Decision

The Committee agreed to discharge the planning obligation from the existing permission on the following grounds:

Given the fact that the current building has lost its character by reason of previous alterations, before the PV panels were installed, and given that the building is not listed, the PV panels have a neutral impact on the wider Conservation Area by virtue of secondary elevation and limited views from the conservation area and surrounding listed buildings. The building is of low architectural merit compared with the other properties nearby and because the roof material is not of a traditional finish the panels have a neutral impact.

The PV panels will have a positive carbon neutrality and will in a small way go towards addressing climate change.

(Reference: Report by Head of Development and Economic Growth dated 1 November 2019, submitted)