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:

June 2025 - Code P14CAB-021 (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 front 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 north rear roof slope of the main house would not be “practicable” because insufficient light].
  [Quote: “In addition, even though the southern roof slope faces towards [the highway] the solar panel’s visibility from that road, and its associated pavements, would be limited due to the significant distance from it, intervening buildings, boundary treatments and mature landscaping including a large Fir tree. If the solar panels were sited on the northern roof slope then they would not be visible from [the highway]. However, on the day of my site visit, I noted that numerous tall, mature trees are close to that northern side which would, more likely than not, make it not practicable to site solar panels on that roof slope due to overshadowing. Therefore, I consider that the solar panels [on the southern roof slope] would be, so far as practicable, sited so as to minimise their effect on the amenity of the area which includes a listed building and [the conservation area].”].
• Conditions A.2(a) and A.2(b) do not affect the colour or design (or similar) of the solar panels.
  [Quote: “The conditions at A.2 of Class A do not require a conventional assessment of whether the effect of the proposal would be harmful or not on the external appearance of the building and/or the amenity of the area. Rather, an assessment as to whether the siting of the solar panels minimises its effects on the external appearance of the building and the amenity of the area, so far as practicable, is required (my emphasis). There is no reference to the design, colour or general appearance of the solar PV or thermal equipment in those conditions.”].

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.