Councillor’s solar panels on his house and garage refused

Jack Saheid (Con, West Chiltington, Thakeham & Ashington) used permitted development rights to install the panels at his home in  Spinney Lane, West Chiltington.

But neighbours complained that the panels on the garage caused ‘a blinding reflection’ at certain times of day and were so low down that they were visible from inside their homes.

In a video representation to the district council’s planning committee south, neighbour David Self demonstrated how close the panels were to his home – less than 1m from the boundary – saying they ‘dominated’ the view.

This was the second time the plans had been put to the committee.

In November the matter was deferred, to allow officers to talk to Mr Saheid about moving the panels to the south elevation of his home, which was considered to be a more appropriate location.

There was ‘disappointment’ from some that he had chosen to do nothing about the problem.

While stressing that the application would be treated no differently to one received from the public, committee members were very aware that any decision they made would be judged more harshly because Mr Saheid was a councillor.

Philip Circus (Con, West Chiltington, Thakeham & Ashington) said there was ‘a very real danger’ of reputational damage to the council and councillors.

Mr Circus pointed out that, under permitted development rights, the panels were allowed as long as they were ‘sited to minimise the effect on the amenity of the area’.

He added: “I think the pictures have shown quite graphically that the interests of neighbouring properties, frankly, have not been considered.”

Planning officers dismissed suggestions that the committee could approve the panels on the house but ask for the ones on the garage to be moved.

James Wright (Con, Storrington & Washington) said: “I cannot in all good conscience vote for it. We wouldn’t vote for it if it was a member of the public.”

While planning officers felt the harm caused to the neighbours was outweighed by the benefits of the panels – and that the council would likely lose if the decision was taken to an appeal – the committee disagreed.

The voted to refuse the application by 14 votes to four with one abstention.

To view the application, log on to www.horsham.gov.uk/planning/planning-applications and search for DC/20/1547.