Solar panels to be put on Helston Guildhall Cornwall Council agrees

Helston Town Council has been granted planning permission to place 38 black solar panels on the roof of the Grade II* listed Guildhall.

It was built in 1839 to the design of acclaimed 19th century architect George Whitewick and is one of the most prominent buildings in the town, being the main focal point on Flora Day and also the home of the town council. 

The panels will be placed on the south west facing roof, adjacent to Church Street.

In its application to Cornwall Council, the town council explains that 37 of the panels will be for generating electricity, with one to provide hot water.

Projects officer Charlotte Caldwell explains in the application: “As part of Helston Town Council’s ongoing plans to reduce the Guildhall’s carbon footprint the council has in the past increased the level of roofing insulation.

“The council is also aware that it is not permitted to replace the existing wooden single glazed windows. This proposal would assist the Council to reduce energy costs in an environmentally manner.

A drawing showing how the solar panels will look on the roof (Image: A3 / Cornwall Council)

“In 2019, Helston Town Council declared a Climate Emergency and in partnership with the Helston Climate Action Group developed the Helston Climate Action Plan. A local carbon and energy audit was also carried out which indicated that apart from oil, electricity use was the next biggest segment of Helston’s carbon footprint.

“There is a pressing need to take immediate action to make all buildings as energy efficient as possible, wherever they are located, and the proposed installation of unobtrusive solar PV panels on the Guildhall roof would make a modest but significant step towards the achievement of ambitious central and local government targets including Cornwall Council’s Carbon Action Plan.”

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When consulted, Historic England said it supported the installation of energy saving and energy generation measures where these did not have a harmful impact on the significance of heritage assets, adding that it had no objection to the principle of solar panels on the Guildhall.

It pointed out that due to the height of the building, and the topography of the town, the panels would only have “limited” visibility, but in some positions in the town centre they may be.

In particular, it believed one of the “key views” was from Coinagehall Street, and it recommended that should any of the panels be found to be visible then some should be removed from the proposal to lessen the impact.

In granting delegated approval, Cornwall Council’s planning officer found that due to the three-storey building the height of the panels would be over seven metres and they would be hidden by the Guildhall’s parapet to a certain degree.

“It has been demonstrated that the panels will not be visible from the front of the Guildhall.

“The fixing will minimally impact the slate roof, the cabling will be through existing voids avoiding any damage to historic materials. The work is considered reversible,” said the planning officer, who also made reference to Cornwall Council’s Cabinet unanimously approving plans to tackle the climate emergency and help Cornwall achieve carbon neutrality.