Assembly calls for boroughs to install solar panels on listed buildings

Installing solar panels on listed buildings across London would help generate clean energy and help London reach its 2030 net zero target.

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (RBKC) Council has become the first local authority in the country to allow solar PV panels to be installed on Grade II and Grade II* listed buildings.

The London Assembly is keen to see this change rolled out across London, and is therefore today calling on the Mayor to support the London Assembly’s request to encourage all London boroughs to make this change to policy.

Léonie Cooper AM, who proposed the motion, said:

“The Climate Emergency demands action on all fronts, which is why it is so positive to see Kensington & Chelsea become the first council in the country to make it easy to install solar panels on Grade 2 & 2* listed buildings.

“This will make a material difference as this policy change has the potential to see over 4,000 buildings generating their own clean energy.

“It is good to see these changes receive widespread support in the community, from individual residents, local conservation groups and residents’ associations - as well as receiving support from the Historic Houses Association.

“If boroughs across the capital follow this lead, London could make good progress toward our Net Zero by 2030 target.”

Tony Devenish AM, who seconded the motion, said:

“Preserving the planet can go hand-in-hand with preserving history. I’m proud that the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea is leading the way and taking practical steps to improve energy efficiency. It’s crucial we make these changes where it is right and practical to do so, as it is possible to include solar panels on some listed buildings whilst still maintaining their character and beauty.

“Much of London is, rightly, protected to ensure generations to come can enjoy. The Mayor must help to remove unnecessary barriers that prevent Londoners making green decisions for themselves and their families, by joining our call to councils across London, to follow our lead."

The full text of the motion is:

This Assembly notes the positive step that the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (RBKC) Council has taken in becoming the first local authority in the country to allow solar PV panels to be installed on Grade II and Grade II* listed buildings. This has huge potential to generate clean energy to help London reach Net Zero. The borough has 4,000 buildings that are listed, 70% of which are in Conservation Areas.

We further note the Council’s consultation on Local Listed Building Consent Order for Solar Panels received a positive response from individual residents, local conservation groups, residents’ associations and the Historic Houses Association. We hope this level of support would be replicated in other boroughs. This policy will also benefit staff, as residents just complete a simple application, thus freeing up Heritage Officers’ time to be spent on more complex cases. An annual monitoring report will ensure progress can be monitored.

This Assembly calls on other London boroughs to pass a similar Local Listed Buildings Consent Order, so that listed buildings in their areas can install solar panels without a planning application.

We also call on the Mayor to:

1. Join our call to the boroughs and encourage them and London Councils to make this policy change;

2. Create a London Plan Guidance document to assist boroughs in encouraging more uptake of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels;

3. Collate the data from each borough’s annual monitoring reports to ensure there is a city-wide picture of how this policy is having an impact.

If other boroughs follow the RBKC lead, this Assembly believes London can make significant progress in helping to generate clean electricity to help with London’s transition to Net Zero.