Issue - meetings

The Chairman of the Planning Committee agreed to hear the officers report and member debate in relation to items 25/0842/FUL and 25/0667/LBC, as one, as both items related to the same development.

The Planning Officer outlined planning application 25/0842/FUL Installation of PV panels to roof. The Forum Theatre, Town Centre, Billingham, TS23 2LJ and 25/0667/LBC The Forum Theatre, Town Centre, Billingham Listed Building Consent for the installation of PV panels to roof.

Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent was sought for the installation of 954no PV panels to the roof of The Forum Theatre, Billingham

The application was brought before members as the proposed development exceeded “minor” development which was classed as buildings up to and including 500m2, of floorspace, Advertisements, CCTV systems, and any structures required to be erected to enable the Council to fulfil its responsibility and function of Community Safety. Each panel was 2.31m2 and the total coverage of the roof would be 2203m2.

In terms of character considerations and the heritage asset, the Forum, although listed, was a modern in appearance building. The siting of the PV panels would be positioned away from the roof edge and would be further screened by the parapet walls to The Forum’s roof edge. It was not considered that the PV panels would be visible from street level.

In terms of amenity, high-rise buildings were nearby (Kennedy Gardens). The applicant had sought to address potential implications arising from glint and glare by using anti-glare/anti-reflective coatings on the PV panels. Subject to the recommended controlling conditions it was not considered that those residents would be impacted by the installation of the PV panels to the roof of The Forum.

The consultees that had been notified and the comments that had been received were detailed within the main report.

Neighbours were notified and the comments received were detailed within the main report.

The planning policies and material planning considerations that were relevant to the consideration of the application were contained within the main report.

The Planning Officers report concluded that the application be Approved with Conditions for the reasons as specified within the main report.

There were no Applicants, Agents or Members of the public in attendance at the meeting.

Members were given the opportunity to ask questions / make comments. These could be summarised as follows: -

- There had been some initial concerns of the impact of the panels on the residents of Kennedy Gardens however these had now been alleviated due to the panels being antiglare.

- The application was welcomed; the panels would be good for the environment and residents that had been consulted were supportive of the scheme.

A vote took place and the application was approved.

RESOLVED that planning application 25/0842/FUL be approved subject to the following conditions and informatives;

01 Time Limit

The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

02 Approved Plans

The development hereby approved shall be in accordance with the following  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13