Moseley Forum

The following is a press release sent out by SusMo after the decision on Thursday.

SusMo officers will meet next week to decide if there is an effective method of reversing the decision.

"It is with some regret that SusMo must report that the application made by St. Mary’s Church with regards to the installation of a photovoltaic array on their south-facing roof has been turned down by the Planning Committee. We are very disappointed in their decision. Just last week, Birmingham launched its ‘Green New Deal’, and the City Council signed up to the 10:10, and for the Planning Committee to instantly reject a promising microgeneration project such as this has little resonance with those commitments, and bodes ill for Birmingham’s low carbon future.

Professor John Dowell spoke on behalf of St. Mary’s Church, confirming the parish’s dual commitment to the preservation of historic buildings and energy conservation. He emphasised that the array would be subtle, and easily reversible – and that no opposition had been received from anyone who lives in the streets surrounding the church. Professor Dowell also highlighted that to reject the project would be inconsistent with Birmingham’s energy policy.

Also speaking in support was Councillor Ernie Hendricks, speaking on behalf of Moseley as a whole. While sympathetic to the issue of conservation, he felt that the solar panels would be restricted from view and the fixing of them would cause no material damage; and that on balance the project should be commended. Notably, he referenced Planning Policy Statements PPS 1, 2 and 22, and elements of Birmingham’s Unitary Development Plan which highlighted the council’s policy to encourage buildings in Birmingham to be energy efficient. He also drew attention to the West Midlands Regional Climate Change Action Plan and the City Council’s policy Cutting CO2.

Of the eight Councillors that spoke, Councillor Sharpe, Councillor Ward, Councillor Whorwood and Councillor Kooner were in favour. Conversely, Councillors Smith, Gaved and Beauchamp spoke against.

Ultimately, seven voted against, six for (actually five), with two abstentions. (our mistake)

After the meeting, Councillor Hendricks stressed that there was a gap in planning policy and there was room for additional planning guidance in determining applications where issues of conservation and climate change were combined.

It is now for the church to decide whether they will appeal the decision, or submit a new plan. Unfortunately, the delay may mean that the St. Mary’s project will lose the £30,000 grant that SusMo was awarded by British Gas. We very much hope that this will not be the case

SusMo and St. Mary’s would like to thank everyone who has supported the application thus far. In addition to the 24 letters of support sent prior to the Planning Officer’s recommendation, the Committee received an additional 29 from Moseley residents and Lynne Jones, the Member of Parliament for Selly Oak. We would also like to thank the Chantry Road Residents’ Association, which clarified for the benefit of the Committee that they had never opposed the application."