In a recent development, plans to install solar panels at St. Anne’s Church in Ings, Cumbria, have met with disappointment. An appeal made by the church to fit 28 solar panels was dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate, which determined that the proposals would “harm” the significance of this Grade II listed building.
The Lake District National Park Authority had initially turned down the church’s planning application in November, prompting the appeal. The church’s leadership expressed a desire to address rising energy costs through this sustainable initiative. According to a report shared by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the proposed solar panels were expected to contribute to the “long-term financial and environmental sustainability” of the church.
However, the Inspectorate’s report highlighted concerns about the visual integrity of the church’s southern elevation, noting that this aspect is crucial to the building’s special interest and significance, as well as its role as a focal point in the village of Ings.
While the church acknowledged that the proposed panels would impact the church’s visual aspect, they argued that the installation would not only help meet the Church of England’s net zero targets but also enhance its financial stability.
The decision notice from the Lake District National Park Authority emphasized that the solar panels would represent a “visual intrusion” on both the church and the surrounding landscape, leading to an “adverse impact on the outstanding universal values of the English Lakes World Heritage Site.”
This case raises important questions about balancing heritage considerations with the need for modern energy solutions in historic structures.
