A PLANNING application to mount solar panels on the roof of Ross-on-Wye Community Hospital has been approved by Herefordshire planners.

The building in Alton Street has several flat roofs with existing handrail surround. The panels will be spread across the roof avoiding existing roofing furniture in line with the permitted development legislation for ‘non-domestic’ buildings.

The proposal equipment will be sited, so far as is practicable, to minimise the effect on the external appearance of the building and the amenity of the area.

When the solar panels have reached the end of its working life and no longer needed the equipment will be removed as soon as reasonably practicable.

The proposed panels will not be more than one metre above the highest part of the Hospital’s roof, which is not a listed building.

The solar panels will be of the non-reflective type and light absorbent and due to its light adsorbing nature their will not be any issues with reflective light.

The applicant states that while the existing building is set within a busy environment it will not be an isolated feature and as such the proposal provided a renewable energy provision and accords with county-wide policies.

Planning permission was granted by Herefordshire Council which stated that based on the information available this permission is considered to be one which does not require the approval of a biodiversity gain plan before development is undertaken.

The scheme does not impact on wildlife habitats because the solar panels will occupy less than 25 square metres in total.

The local planning authority has acted positively and proactively in determining this application by assessing the proposal against planning policy and any other material considerations, including any representations that have been received.

It has subsequently determined to grant planning permission in accordance with the presumption in favour of sustainable development, as set out within national policies.