A Kendal pub’s bid to install 64 solar panels to bring down energy bills has been given the go-ahead.
Fleece Cumbria Ltd asked Westmorland & Furness Council if it could put the panels on the roof of Ye Olde Fleece Inn in the town centre.
According to a report by a council conservation officer, the proposals will result in some harm to the Grade II-listed building on Highgate but added there were clear public benefits to installing sustainable energy sources.
The application said: “The proposed PVs, in reducing the energy costs to the business at Ye Olde Fleece, will ensure that the use of the property as a community facility and public asset can continue long into the future, by ensuring it remains an economically viable business.
“In this regard the PVs can be seen as enhancing the heritage significance of the property by ensuring its longevity of usage.”
It said the hospitality industry was particularly vulnerable to increases in energy costs as they were energy intensive businesses.
It added other businesses have added additional insulation or double-glazed windows however those methods were restricted with listed buildings.
It added: “For this reason, the applicant has opted to install PVs to Ye Olde Fleece so that the public house can produce its own energy, in turn reducing reliance on the Grid and therefore bringing down bills.”
In a planning consultation, councillor Peter Thornton (Kendal Strickland and Fell, Lib Dems) said: “The Fleece Inn has a proud history and has always been an important part of the heritage of Kendal.
“Businesses such as this are suffering huge challenges and many such local businesses have closed over the last few years.
“As a long term resident of Kendal who has been a customer of the Fleece for the last 60 years I support this application in that it will help the business remain sustainable and will also help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.”
The application was granted by Westmorland and Furness Council on November 22.
