Southwark Council is considering a draft Local Listed Building Consent Order (LLBCO) that could streamline the process for residents seeking listed building consent for solar panel installation on Grade II listed residential properties within the Sutherland Square and Liverpool Grove Conservation Areas.
The Planning Committee (Major Applications) B considered the draft LLBCO at a meeting on Tuesday, 15 July 2025. The initiative, brought forward by residents, aligns with the council's commitment to carbon neutrality by 2030.
The draft LLBCO permits the installation of microgeneration solar photovoltaics (PV) or solar thermal panels, but specifically excludes 'solar tiles' or 'solar slates'.
To balance the adoption of solar panels with the preservation of historic buildings, the draft LLBCO includes conditions to minimise potential harm to the historic character of the buildings and conservation areas. For example, installations are only permitted where solar equipment will be almost invisible from the streets, such as on the inverted slopes of a butterfly roof or a flat roof at a minimum of two storeys or 6 metres above street level. A schedule and map of eligible properties are provided in the appendices of the draft Order.
The meeting information mentions that potential impact on the historic fabric of listed buildings has also been considered. It is considered that standard methods of fixing solar panels or solar equipment on rails mounted to hooks attached to rafters will have negligible impact on historic fabric. While minor repairs and making good of the roof are permitted under this Order, condition (vii) requires prior consent to be obtained for any structural strengthening works. This allows the Council to control over the potential loss of historic roof structures and ensure structural integrity of the listed buildings.
According to the meeting's reports pack, even with a LLBCO in place, planning permission would still be required for solar panels on listed buildings.
In accordance with the requirements of the Planning (Local Listed Building Consent Orders) (Procedure) Regulations 2014, a public consultation, including consultation with Historic England, of at least 28 days is required for the draft LLBCO. Officers anticipate that the consultation will commence in August 2025.
An Equality Impact and Needs Analysis (EINA) concluded that the LLBCO would have no negative impacts on equalities in Southwark.
The Planning Committee was asked to approve the draft LLBCO, approve the statutory consultation, and note the findings of the EINA.
