Plans lodged for solar panels on several listed community buildings in Northumberland
Planning applications have been lodged for the installation of solar panels on a number of listed buildings in Northumberland.
Northumberland Community Energy Limited (NCEL) aims to provide affordable, sustainable and reliable energy to village halls, churches, community sports hubs and more.
Among the recent applications is one for 28 solar panels on the south-facing roof of the Hindmarsh Hall in Alnmouth.
"The proposed solar panels and battery storage would result in the hall being self-sufficient in electricity 10 months of the year (other than November and December),” states a planning report. “Surplus electricity (around 5,121kWh) could be used to heat water (reducing gas usage) or go back onto the grid.”
It is also seeking permission for 16 solar panels on the roof of Swarland Village Hall.
"The hall is currently heated by oil central heating with a single phase electric supply, with a usage of around 1,834 kwh per year,” states a planning report. “The proposed solar panels and battery storage would result in the hall being self-sufficient in power for nine months of the year and would make a major contribution of the power requirements during November to January. There would be a surplus of generated electricity between February and October.”
Planning permission is also being sought for 14 solar panels on the roof of Milfield Methodist Church.
"Without intervention, the rising costs could put the community use of this building in jeopardy,” states a report. “Feasibility studies and technical design established that the installation of 14 solar panels would produce around 5.74kW output.”
In Lesbury, a solar battery cabinet is proposed on the village hall. Planning permission was granted last year for 20 solar panels on the roof.
"The hall would also like to install solar batteries in a secure cabinet to the rear of the building to allow surplus energy produced during the day by the solar panels to be stored for evening use of the building, to maximise the benefit of the system and reduce hall running costs further,” states a report.
Plans for solar panels on non-listed buildings have also been given the green light. In Lesbury, 24 solar panels will be installed at the cricket club clubhouse and, in Belford, 54 solar panels will be installed on the roof of Bell View Resource Centre.