School's green upgrade to help pupils be 'responsible citizens'

The green upgrade at West End Primary School on Aspen Lane, which has educated Oswaldtwistle’s youngsters since the First World War, should create around 36,000 kilowatt-hours from the 103 panels it will be installing across its buildings.

Typically, planning permission would not be required for this type of development, but some aspects of the design did not meet the usual spatial requirements for a solar panel array.

Rules that apply to non-residential structures typically require the panels to be set back from the edge by around a metre. However, in order to maximise their energy-generating potential, the ‘Good’-rated school asked the council to have a more efficient layout.

Most of the school's buildings will have solar panels fitted to their roofs, the plans show (Image: Hyndburn Borough Council/Solar For Schools)

 West End Primary School will be placing the array on both its south-facing pitched and flat roofs, which will protrude by between 20 and 30 cms from the surface of their respective roofs.

From this array, the school should be able to cover the vast majority of its annual energy needs, benefitting the environment and slashing its electricity bill.

This packed layout means that pupils at the school will be able to see the 103 panels when they’re installed, but this was not seen as a negative by the applicants.

The design statement, prepared by Solar For Schools, says that the renewable energy installation would complement ‘the character of the school’ and represent the ‘sustainable and green future’ that it wants to enact.

It went on to argue that it would enhance the ‘visionary appearance of the site as a modern learning centre’.

The solar panels will largely be shielded from the public's view (Image: Hyndburn Borough Council/Solar For Schools)

The statement added that this would help with ‘creating responsible citizens for tomorrow’s world with an appreciation towards their surroundings and a duty of care for the environment.’

It also argued that the panels would not impact the visual character of the area, with them largely being screened by trees or other school buildings. However, the planning officer did note that the array would be visible from some areas.

Walkers on the public right of way between Stanhill Lane and Tower Street will be able to spot the school’s new green infrastructure.

However, in approving the development, Hyndburn’s planning officer said: “On balance, considering the positive environmental benefits of the solar panels, it is considered that the limited impact on the street scene is acceptable in this instance.”