Harbour roof plans refused

TWO Weymouth harbourside properties have been refused planning consent for changes to the roofs of their properties.

Two Weymouth harbourside properties have been refused planning consent for changes to the roofs of their properties.

The decisions affect the RNLI and the nearby Weymouth Sailing Club, both buildings within the town conservation area.

The rescue service had asked for alterations to plans already agreed for improvements at the Nothe Parade lifeboat station,  but were turned down – while the sailing club failed to find favour with the planners for its proposed solar panels.

Dorset Council planning officers decided that changes to the roof of the RNLI building, including what was described as a significant enlargement of a roof light on the west and east elevation of the main building roof, were such that the RNLI needed to make a fresh application, rather than have the work agreed as a minor change.

The application had asked for replacement slate roof coverings, including new roof lights, and new holes to improve ventilation.

A planning case officer said the enlargement of the roof lights could affect the privacy of a neighbouring home while a proposed 50cm extension to the to the west side of the building would make the lifeboat station look “significantly overbearing” to 1 Nothe Parade and would need to be consulted on.

The neighbouring sailing club had asked for a 15kw solar array on the roof of its long shed at Nothe Parade to be agreed as a legal development  – offering significant energy savings.

The club, founded in 1913, asked for 32 solar panels along the apex of the roof, adjacent to its terrace and to the west side of the main clubhouse.

It claimed that the panels would be set back from the harbourside and would not be prominent from public areas and should be issued with a certificate of lawful use.

But a planning case officer disagreed and said that because of the proposed location of the panels, close to the edge of the east elevation the panels could not be considered lawful  – which will mean the club having to amend its plans and apply again as a full  planning proposal.