Planning application
24/1145/PDPV
Vantage Point Pynes Hill Exeter EX2 5FD
Proposal
The solar photovoltaic (PV) installation is proposed on the roofs of Vantage Point, Pynes Hill, Exeter EX2 5FD. At around 93.28kW in total the proposed PV installation is below the permitted development threshold of 1 Megawatt (MW). Total 212 solar panels will be installed on the proposed building of the site. The roof pitch of the proposed structure is 20 degrees, and the panels will face 219. The total area of the pitched roof is estimated to be ~ 604.34m2. The proposed solar PV equipment has, as far as practicable, been sited to minimise its effect on the external appearance of the building and the amenity of the area. The roof slopes that the solar PV panels will be mounted on are pitched and the PV panels will be mounted on frames parallel to the existing roof pitch so will have a minimal effect on the external appearance of the building and the amenity of the area. The solar PV equipment will not: ?Project more than 200mm from the roof slopes. nor ?Be installed within 1 metre of the external edges of the roofs. The solar PV equipment will be removed as soon as reasonably practicable when no longer needed. The effect of glint and glare are considered to be minimal and localised. Both glint and glare attenuate with distance, with glare reducing rapidly. Several aspects of the installation will reduce the risks further: ?Solar PV panels are purposely designed to absorb rather than reflect light, as any reflection would waste potential energy. The surface of PV panels is intentionally rough to reduce reflection and facilitate absorption of the maximum quantity of sunlight. A 2009 study of solar panels showed that solar panels reflected 3-5% of incoming sunlight, which was less than steel (approximately 46%), standard glass (approximately 10%) or smooth water (approximately 5%). (Source: SunPower Solar Module Glare and Reflectance Technical Notification, T09014, September 2009). ?The aluminium and steel which make up the solar panel frames and mounting
As published by the council, reference 24/1145/PDPV
Timeline
Dates from the published record
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2 Oct 2024
Received by Exeter
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11 Nov 2024
Decision issued: Prior Approval Not Required
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1 Aug 2026
Added to PlanIndex
What a grant of permission means
The process from here
Permission has been granted, usually subject to conditions listed on the decision notice, some of which must be discharged before work starts. The decision notice on the council portal sets out exactly what was approved.
Work must normally begin within three years of the decision or the permission lapses. Neighbours cannot appeal a grant; challenging one means judicial review of how the decision was made, within tight time limits.
About prior approval applications
How this application type works
Prior approval applications arise where permitted development rights already grant the principle of the work, such as larger home extensions, changes of use to housing or agricultural buildings. The council may only consider the specific matters set out in the rules, for example transport, flooding or appearance, and in many classes the work may proceed if the council does not respond within the deadline, commonly 56 days.
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