School is left shocked by decision on solar panels
A primary school near Bath has described the refusal of its application to install solar panels as “shocking”.
Freshford Church School wants to install 26 solar panels on the rear roof of its modern extension as part of its aim to be carbon neutral.
It also has a longer-term vision of providing electric charging units in the school car park for use by the surrounding community.
The application had more than 100 comments in support, and was backed by the Mayor of Bradford on Avon, Alex Kay, local MEP Molly Scott Cato and Friends of the Earth CEO Craig Bennett.
But the bid was refused by B&NES Council based on a conservation officer’s report. It said that the panels would ruin views around the village and the appearance of the older part of the school.
In her report, Caroline Waldron said: “Close proximity to the traditional school building will harm the setting and significance of a non-designated heritage asset.
“At the same time the panels will seriously distract from the appreciation of the wider landscape views and the role they play in the character of the village.
“From points further to the west along The Tyning the PV panels will compromise and harm views across the village school towards the built up parts of the village harming the character of the conservation area.
“In this case the degree of harm is considerable and unacceptable.”
School governor and former Dyson director Emma HeatleyAdams said: “It’s shocking that the B&NES planning department have not supported us in making the innovative change. What’s the point in supporting the past if we can’t support our future?
“This is something that every single school in the country should be doing and we hope that this is the start of a national movement.”
George Tomlinson, parent and co-chair of Freshford School Parent Teacher Association, said: “We’ve been refused planning for our solar panels as the B&NES planning office thinks they’ll visually harm the village.
“What’s harmful is explaining to 150 children that a view of the village is considered more important than safeguarding their planet’s future.”
And, according to the school head teacher, the children are perplexed by the decision too.
Andrew Wishart said: “A child asked why some grown-ups say they care but do not seem to do anything about protecting our future.
“In assembly we ask: ‘If not you, then who? If not now, then when?’”
He added: “In response to this uniquely important moment in human history, I am intensely proud of the inspiring and determined hard work of our children, parents and staff in their shared mission to make our school the most energy efficient and sustainable community that it can be.”
Freshford Church School was recognised at the recent Bath Life Awards with the Environmental Award for this project, as well as initiatives such as moving towards being single use plastic-free.
The school plans to resubmit its application, challenging the deci- sion to deny a project it thinks is central to its educational mission.
Students have been actively involved in planning the solar panels, as part of an innovative approach that integrates environmental issues into the curriculum.
The panels will not only reduce the school’s carbon footprint, but will also provide students with daily data on the energy and financial resources being generated - with applications in both science and maths lessons.
The school aims to ensure that its children see that sustainability is a series of problems that science can solve. Its solar panels would provide evidence on a day to day to basis that informed decision making can make the difference.
Governor Emma Heatley-adams said: “The job of the school is to educate children and prepare them for a very different future.
“What better way is there to get them thinking about the science and technology that will work in the environment in which they will live and for them to see their parents and teachers making proactive steps to generate clean energy.”
Recently a group of children went to 10 Downing Street to meet Energy Minister Claire Perry as part of Bath-based education project Energy Sparks.
“Freshford pupils are powerful advocates, persuading fellow pupils and staff to switch off lights and turn down radiators to save energy, money and help reduce climate change,” Energy Sparks project manager, Claudia Towner said.
Energy Sparks has led to Freshford children proposing, and the business team implementing, a range of energy and cost saving measures around the school.
Freshford Church School is also a part of the Surfers Against Sewage Plastic Free Schools initiative.
This is something every school in the country should be doing. Emma Heatley-adams