A GROUP of neighbours are upset about a solar panel installation at a house in their village.
Eight people who live in Kelton are annoyed that 15 energy producing panels were placed on the roof and as part of a solar array installation in the garden of the Coach House building.
The Coach House is a category C-listed historic building, which was once a steading but later converted to a house.
Following complaints, owner Donald Henry was forced to seek retrospective planning permission from Dumfries and Galloway Council.
The matter was considered by councillors at last week’s planning committee, where case officer Lindsey Little recommended that the application be approved unconditionally.
She said: “This application relates to a single storey and attic former steading building, which is category C listed and converted into a detached dwellinghouse in 1987.”
She continued: “The works that have been undertaken are all reversible in this instance, and no long term damage has been caused to the listed building.
“The proposals are considered to comply with the local development plan two policies and national planning frameworks, particularly policy 11 which states that development proposals for all forms of renewable energy will be supported, including small scale renewable energy generation.
“It’s therefore recommended that the retrospective planning permission and late listed building consent be approved unconditionally.”
Described as an early 19th century, single storey and attic steading building, the Coach House is located around just over a mile from Castle Douglas town centre.
The council received 11 objections to the planning application from members of the public.
The objections were primarily around the solar panels/array which they argue detract from the character of the listed building and are inappropriate for the building and setting.
Planning permission was granted after Lochar Councillor Ivor Hyslop tabled a motion supporting the council officer’s view, which was then backed by other councillors.
