Funding bid for solar panels on council buildings

A BID for solar panels on Coventry council buildings is pressing ahead, but caution has been issued over how they are fitted onto ‘sensitive’ sites.

Coventry council has identified 39 of its buildings where solar panels could be installed as part of a £1.3 million scheme to produce renewable energy.

The Grade II listed Council House features on the list alongside Coombe Abbey Country Park, but it is not clear whether panels would be placed on the Grade I listed hotel.

Others include cemeteries and office block Friargate One.

Plans to submit a grant funding bid was agreed by cabinet on Tuesday, April 7.

Although welcomed, caution has been issued over where and how solar panels are fitted onto historical or ‘sensitive’ sites.

Cllr Gary Ridley, leader of the opposition, said: “It is something I support in principle.

“The idea of producing renewable energy will save more money for the council in the long term and it is good for the environment, but we have to do this carefully as a lot of the locations in the report are heritage sites like Coombe Abbey or sensitive sites like crematoriums.

“It might look good on top of Friargate One and nobody will say anything but if you start putting it on a 13th century Coombe Abbey then that would be very different.”

The panels would contribute to the authority’s ‘net zero’ emissions target by producing 747 MWH of renewable electricity each year, and saving around £1.5m in the long term.

Cabinet member responsible Cllr Jim O’boyle said: “I have no concerns over this.

“We have to put in a listed planning application so it would follow the criteria under national legislation.

“The Council House has got a courtyard that is out of sight and that would not impact the quality or appearance of the building if it went there.

“We would of course look after any building we own.

“We have got to secure the money and I am confident we will.

“It is making sure we reduce our carbon footprint which is what we want to see, whilst reducing our energy bills.”

£630,000 grant funding would come from the European Regional Development Fund, if successful, while the other half comes from the council.

The council is expected to find out if it has been awarded the grant in May.