PV install - upset neighbours

jamesingram

Cardew wrote: »

This thread gave details of a council ordering removal of panels after neighbours objected.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3872225

Yes, that's what i was alluding to in my first post.
Worrying really as it seems to go against the whole thrust of changes to permitted developement with regard to PV/mircogeneration.

I think interpretation of the words 'so far as practicable' is a key issue .
from (worth a look as various arguments are offered)http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=8867&page=1#Item_0
"the term 'practicable' or 'reasonably practicable' has been a common term in UK law, mostly health and safety and environmental law, since the late 1940's, with it's meaning confirmed as including a cost/benefit analysis in the case of Edwards v National Coal Board 1949."

My point was more general though , it seems planning in this situation is reactive rather than active.
'PV panels are ugly' is subjective , should other individual have the right to subjective view points, that restrict what you choice to do with your property, especially when PD rights allow prior to complaints?

Norman_Castle

Neighbours in the close are upset - solar panels go on council houses !!, generally we get on really well, what would you do.

Educate them as to why you think solar panels are right for you. "Solar panels go on council houses" sounds like ignorant snobbery.

larkim

The point is, though, that "ugliness" isn't part of the planning scheme, unless you are in a conservation area or similar. In the Prestwich scenario, I think the fact that the panels were highly reflective and shone through the neighbours windows at the right (wrong?) time of day was also a factor.

You are clearly a considerate neighbour, being bothered enough to post here about it. But at the end of the day you are doing something in your own interest, and their petty snobbery about council houses is something they have to deal with, not you. Perhaps try to explain the benefits (both financially and environmentally) to them, so that even if they don't like it they understand why you are doing it.

Matt

penrhyn

Perhaps you could offer to refund your neighbours with the 8% levy on their electricity costs thats subsidising your solar installation.

Cardew

larkim wrote: »

The point is, though, that "ugliness" isn't part of the planning scheme, unless you are in a conservation area or similar.

Surely it is!

People have every right to object to the Council if they feel that alterations to neighbouring properties are ugly, and thus 'lower the tone' of the area.

There was a celebrated case in London of some nutter - who drove around in a pink DUKW objecting to ??? - who had a huge pink elephant on his roof.

People have been ordered to remove huge flags, signs etc.

I am not suggesting for one moment that PV panels come into that category, and the majority of councils will dismiss objections to their installation.

However the fact that generally Councils do not allow them in conservation areas(when visible from the road) surely supports the view that many people feel the Panels are something of an eyesore and 'lower the tone'.

zeupater

Cardew wrote: »

.... People have been ordered to remove huge flags, signs etc. ....

However, these are not covered by permitted development rights and are subject to planning considerations so it's not unreasonable to require them to be removed without the appropriate consent .....

HTH
Z

rogerblack

jamesingram wrote: »

"the term 'practicable' or 'reasonably practicable' has been a common term in UK law, mostly health and safety and environmental law, since the late 1940's, with it's meaning confirmed as including a cost/benefit analysis in the case of Edwards v National Coal Board 1949."

This may be legally correct.
Being legally correct does not automatically mean that the council will agree in the first instance.

A legal victory occurring in 3 years time, after you've found someone to conduct a judicial review, ...

Ben84

How can they be that upset, it's just a few squares of your roof having a new colour/texture? Honestly, when I encounter people like this, I wonder how they cope when something actually bad happens to them!

Cardew

Ben84 wrote: »

How can they be that upset, it's just a few squares of your roof having a new colour/texture? Honestly, when I encounter people like this,

Your view(understandably) is that it doesn't matter about changes to the roof appearance. Others have a different opinion.

Can you explain then why most councils will not allow panels in conservation area and listed buildings. That surely can only be because they believe it detracts from the appearance of the building.

EricMears

Cardew wrote: »

Your view(understandably) is that it doesn't matter about changes to the roof appearance. Others have a different opinion.

Can you explain then why most councils will not allow panels in conservation area and listed buildings. That surely can only be because they believe it detracts from the appearance of the building.

In the case of a listed building, you're not supposed to do anything that makes it look different to when it was first listed or (preferably) first built. That extends to trivial items such as not being able to replace cast iron rainwater pipes with modern plastic simulations or double glazing the windows.

As of course we all realise, very few listed buildings would have had SPs from new !