A CLIMATE change campaigning councillor has been given the go ahead for a ‘green’ extension at his rural cottage.

Penyard ward Herefordshire councillor William Wilding applied for permission to build a single storey lean-to extension to the south west of his Hook Cottage home in Lea Bailey.

The scheme also includes a balcony on the north-west side and an entrance to the south east side via a porch.

A planning report said: “The climate change and biodiversity measures compliance checklists have been completed, indicating the development is not within a designated site and is therefore unlikely to have an ecological impact.

“The extension is south facing with solar gain enhanced by folding triple glazed doors.

“The extension will utilise thermal insulation, as well as in other areas of the cottage, and underfloor heating. The existing dwelling incorporates solar PV panels…

“The proposed development has been designed in a manner that reflects the host dwelling utilising materials to match that of the existing dwelling, stone and render and slate roof.”

The Independent councillor hit the headlines last month when he was given a reprimand for cheering Donald Trump’s presidential defeat in a council debate over road building, when he said that to ignore the effects of climate change from the development was on a par with the US politician’s own policies.

Councillor Terry James proposed approving the cottage extension at a meeting of the council’s planning committee last week.

He said: “Bearing in mind the officer’s report, I don’t think we need to debate this much.

“This is merely a formality that it has to come to this committee.

“It would normally be dealt with by delegated powers and would have been given virtually automatic approval.”

Councillor Jeremy Milln said: “I very much appreciate Cllr Wilding so eagerly embracing the new checklist tool for climate emergency and biodiversity.

“Clearly he has given that a great deal of consideration which you would expect him to do which weighs heavily in favour with me, so I shall be voting for approval.”