The "GPDO Part 14 Classes A and B - LDC Appeal Decisions" document has been updated to include 1 additional appeal decision relating to solar panels on domestic premises, for which the conclusions are as follows:

July 2024 - Code P14CAB-017 (appeal allowed):

• This appeal decision provides an example of where the Inspector assessed the solar panels against conditions A.2(a) and A.2(b) (which require that such equipment is, so far as practicable, sited so as to minimise its effect on (a) “the external appearance of the building” and (b) “the amenity of the area”) and concluded that this would be acceptable.
  [Conclusion: The solar panels on the south side roof slope of the main house do comply with A.2(a) and A.2(b)].
• In particular, the Inspector concluded that certain alternative locations would not be “practicable”.
  [Conclusion: The “hipped internal roof planes and flat roofed parapets” would not be “practicable” because insufficient light, and difficult to install and maintain].
  [Quote: “I agree with the Council that the south facing roof plane of [the application site] is the obvious location for such installations. I do not share their view, however, that because of the prominence of the south facing roof slope, they should instead be fitted on other hipped internal roof planes and flat roofed parapets where they would be better hidden. That would minimise their impact on the appearance of the house itself and on the appearance of this part of the Conservation Area, but the PV installation would likely be so inefficient at electricity generation as to probably be not worth the investment. There would also be practical difficulties in installing and maintaining a disjointed series of panels on several small roof slopes, most of which would face in disadvantageous directions. Such a scheme would not pass a practicable test.”].
• Conditions A.2(a) and A.2(b) do not affect the colour (or similar) of the solar panels.
  [Quote: “[The Council said that] The PV panels would be different in colour and texture to the existing roof. [...] Condition A.2 A.2(a) and (b) say that the solar PV installations are to be sited so as to minimise its effect on the external appearance of the building and sited so as to minimise its effect on the amenity of the area. There is no reference to design, colour or general appearance. Rather, those conditions and others are predominantly dimensional limitations.”].

Notes:

• To view the conclusions, summaries, and decision notices for any of the above appeals, please view the "GPDO Part 14 Classes A and B - LDC Appeal Decisions" document. As a member of the Planning Jungle website, you can view the decision notices for all of the appeals on the website for no extra cost.
• Any of the above conclusions marked with a "(*)" contradict other appeal decisions. The "Reference Section" within the above document indicates how many appeals have supported and contradicted each particular conclusion.