Solar panel guidance

Applying for planning permission for solar panel installations in Article 4 Direction areas

Working with representatives of local groups, this guidance aims to help those residents who are considering installing solar panels within parts of the St Albans Conservation Area that are subject to an Article 4 Direction.

It is important to note that within an Article 4 Direction Area, planning permission is required to install solar panels in all instances. Details on how to apply can be found here: https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/apply-planning-permission-online

A Conservation Area is designated because of its special architectural or historic interest. Any proposals within designated areas are required to ensure that new development would preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the designated heritage asset and its setting.

Please note that this guidance relates only to buildings that are not statutory listed, for which other rules apply.

A general approach for slate roofs which are visible from the public realm is that panels that are slate-like in appearance will normally be required. For roofs which are to the rear of buildings but visible from the public realm (e.g. anywhere a member of the public can walk), care should be taken to ensure proposals for panels are well designed to ensure that the character and appearance of the conservation area is preserved. All black ‘in-roof’ solar panel solutions may be suitable for concrete roofs and rack-mounted solutions may be suitable for modern flat roofs.

A greater degree of flexibility may be afforded to the rear of buildings or to roofs which are not visible from the public realm (e.g. all black in-roof or rack mounted solutions) however proposals for solar panels should still be well-designed to ensure that the character and appearance of the conservation area is preserved.

For properties with roof tiles, a well-designed in-roof solution may be supported within some street scenes and for red clay tile roofs it may be possible to support matching red in-roof panels. However these situations would be assessed on a case by case basis. Where a property is surrounded by Listed Buildings or a street is afforded a significant historic view, in-roof solutions may be not suitable even where the existing roof tiles are concrete.

Care should be taken to ensure any cabling/associated paraphernalia is discreetly located e.g. behind rainwater pipes/boxing at ground floor level).

The minimum surface area of panels necessary for them to operate varies with panel type; small roofs may not be suitable, especially for slate-like panels. Expert guidance should be sought from solar panel vendors on technical suitability