A major breakthrough…
( A direct quote from our very own Steve Martin)
Hundreds of solar panels will be installed on the roof of a Cambridge University chapel, despite objections.
Cambridge City Council approved the application to install 492 photovoltaic panels on the lead roof of the 15th Century chapel at King’s College.
”the plans would serve as a symbol for climate change”
Councillors
Historic England was among those against, saying the panels:
”would harm people’s appreciation of the chapel’s extraordinary architectural character”
At a planning meeting on Tuesday,
Details of which can be read here:
(https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=181&MId=4173),
Councillors were told by a college representative that the panels would meet the chapel’s entire energy demand. The panels would contribute a 1.4% reduction in carbon consumption across the estate, they said.
The chapel’s 150-year-old lead roof would be stripped, melted down and reused over the next few months, the university said.
The plans had been recommended for refusal by city council planning officers. Their report stated the panels would “detract” from the architectural character of the roof
“important views of the chapel would be harmed”
City Council Planning officers
‘‘The benefits of the carbon reduction were considered on balance to be “not sufficient” to outweigh the “less than substantial harm” to the Grade I-listed chapel.”
However, the councillors said they believed:
”the benefits of the scheme did outweigh any harm”
Read more here:
https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/solar-panels-put-kings-college-26184985
Looks like an extension of the universities plans to decarbonise. These already include :
”All 33 Cambridge Colleges will be largely powered by two solar farms located within a 30-mile radius and the remaining volume will be sourced from solar generators across the UK.”