Papergraphics (Solar PV)

Client: Papergraphics Ltd
Local Planning Authority: Crawley Borough Council

Squires Planning secured approval for the installation of 648 solar panels on the roof of Papergraphics in Manor Royal, Crawley under permitted development. The client has high energy bills and the company were looking for ways to reduce their utility bills. 

The system capacity is over 480 kWp, therefore it exceeds the 50 kilowatt capacity for microgeneration as defined in Section 82(6) of the Energy Act 2004 and so the scheme required Prior Approval. We had to ensure the proposal complied with the relevant legislation relating to location and dimensions. It also meant that we needed to demonstrate that the development would not impact on the design and external appearance of the building and would not result in an unacceptable level of glare on occupiers of neighbouring land.

This was done through the comisioning of required plans, and the production of a Glint and Glare Assessment which identified the main receptors Gatwick Airport and the A2011 and assessed the impact of glare from the panels on these receptors. The outcome from the report stated that the development would not result in glare that was sever enough to affect the activity at Gatwick Airport or the A2011, therefore the impacts were acceptable.

The local council decided that Prior Approval is not required, and the application was determined under delegated authority. 

The consultant team for this project comprised Squires Planning, WPD Consultants & Arthian

This is just one of a number of renewables projects Squires Planning have worked - we have secured relevant permissions/approvals on residential, industrial and commercial buildings through the preparation of applications for certificates of lawfulness, prior approval and planning permission depending on the nature of the scheme.