‘In the light of declaring a climate emergency in 2019 and the Future Generations Act, would the Council consider reviewing their approach to planning permission for solar panels and other energy saving initiatives in areas of conservation? It seems there can even be a conflict with installing these on quite ordinary buildings with Welsh slate roofs if the building is pre-1919. Conservation should adopt a wider definition in this case - not only focused on the historic conservation of buildings but on the long-term conservation of our communities and our environment by allowing greater freedoms to install measures to save and generate local green energy.’
Minutes:
[Note:
· Councillor Linda Evans, Cabinet Member for Homes responded on behalf of Councillor Ann Davies, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Community Cohesion and Planning Policy as she had to leave the meeting prior to this item;
· Councillor N. Lewis had earlier declared an interest in this item remained in the meeting.
‘In the light of declaring a climate emergency in 2019 and the Future Generations Act, would the Council consider reviewing their approach to planning permission for solar panels and other energy saving initiatives in areas of conservation? It seems there can even be a conflict with installing these on quite ordinary buildings with Welsh slate roofs if the building is pre-1919. Conservation should adopt a wider definition in this case - not only focused on the historic conservation of buildings but on the long-term conservation of our communities and our environment by allowing greater freedoms.’
Response by Councillor Linda Evans, Cabinet Member for Homes:-
Thank you for the question. Apologies that Councillor Ann Davies is not here, she is in another meeting. As Carmarthenshire County Council was the first Authority in Wales to declare a climate change emergency and published it’s net-zero plan. It takes its responsibilities and in this regard very seriously. It has an ongoing commitment to a transition towards a low carbon economy in order to safeguard the future of communities and future generations. It is the only Local Authority in Wales which has a training and information centre dedicated to the sustainability of pre-1919 buildings and ensuring that they meet the needs of future generations. Delivering regular training courses on repair, maintenance and energy efficiency in all buildings in the core part of this programme.
Across Wales we have roughly 500,000 pre-1919 buildings which makes up one third of our housing stock. Of these, 189,000 at 13% are in the conservation area and there are 30,000 listed structures, including homes, churches, bridges and milestones. Research has proven that protecting historic buildings and environmental brings significant economic, social culture and environmental benefit to a place and often drawing business and visitors into the area. The Local Authority recognises that conservation areas and listed buildings play an important role in the health and sustainability of our communities and therefore assesses assessment of any development. Installation of solar panels is always considered on a case-by-case studies basing accordingly to the development and developed proposals. In many cases, planning consent is not required for the installation of solar panels on roofs, for example on domestic dwellings inside or outside the conservation area, as long as certain conditions are met. Where planning permission is required, planning assessment are set within national legislation framework, such as, the Town and Country Planning General Permitted Development Order 1995.
Planning Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas Act 1990 and Planning Policy Wales and a judgement on a board or a broad range of issues is made in the assessment process, including the long term sustainability of our communities and their ability to meet the needs of future generations. In all cases, I would recommend that any application applicant speaks through the planning officers and contacts Canolfan Tywi for advice. This centre is an excellent resource within our County. I hope that it answers your question, if you do have a second question which you are allowed to give a second question, I’m sure the Officer, Rhodri would respond on behalf of Councillor Ann Davies.
Supplementary Question by Mr David Jenkins:
Happily, I am aware of quite a lot of what the Council has done and is doing in order to promote insulation and in particular other actions would help towards climate change. The declaration of a climate emergency and the Future Generations Act by the Welsh Assembly Government did give us all an opportunity to resent the way we approach planning and there is a chance here to both maximise the climate and environmental benefit at a time of cost crises of budgetary crises that we’re all facing. So, I’m much reassured to hear that you’re doing what you can. This rolls into non protected buildings as well, we need to see more solar panels on new developments and on non protected buildings, we need to see better insulation also on these buildings. I am sad to see some still going up. Thank you.
Response by Councillor Linda Evans, Cabinet Member for Homes:-
In response to your point about solar panels for new proprieties, as a Council we’ve been investing in new Council properties and therefore are all new social housing within Carmarthenshire today will be built with solar panels. Obviously, if it’s possible to do so and we are also doing a retrofit programme for undertaking works on our existing homes as well, within our Council properties. I want to ensure you that the Council are doing what we can with our own homes and buildings like this (County Hall).