AN East Lancashire secondary school is proposing to fit solar panels to its roofs to generate some of its own 'green' power.

Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School in Haworth Street, Oswaldtwistle, has applied to Hyndburn Council for prior approval of the scheme.

It would see the installation of 500 solar photovoltaic panels with a total generation capacity of about 215 kWp (kilowatt 'peak' power).

The college underwent a £10million redevelopment between 2019 and 2021 with new buildings which house the science, SEN, kitchen and dining facilities replacing its old east and west blocks which had to be demolished after serious structural problems were discovered.

A supporting statement submitted with the application says: "Rhyddings Business and Enterprise College, initially called Rhyddings High School, is located in the bustling neighbourhood of Oswaldtwistle and stands taller compared to most neighbouring properties.

"It is part of the LET Education Trust, a Multi-Academy Trust consisting of four schools.

"The school is settled on nearly two hectares of land and can be easily accessed from Haworth Street and also a back entrance on Fredrick Street in the north.

"It is proposed to install around 500 solar photovoltaic panels on the flat and pitched roofs, with a total generation capacity of about 215 kWp.

"The proposed installation will help the school in its ambition to maximise on the potential of on-site for zero-carbon electricity generation as part of its wider decarbonisation strategy.

"The school buildings are one-to-two storeys tall consisting a combination of flat and pitched roofs, most of which considered for installation with panels positioned towards the south and nearest south as per the orientation of each building.

"Since a majority of the buildings considered for installation are either taller, further to the back and behind the south facing roofs beside Haworth Street, they have no possibility of being seen and affecting the

amenity of the area.

"Even if the proposed installation was seen, the amount of impact from the anti-glare coated panels would be hardly any different from the glare of the sun experienced on a daily basis - in fact it would be miniscule in comparison.

"Although the school building itself nor its curtilage is in a conservation area, it sits beside the Rhyddings conservation area.

"The proposal of panels will in no way affect the amenity of the conservation area and its residents.

"It will only enhance the image of the school building being an up-to-date learning centre."