SUSMO AND ST MARY'S CHURCH NEED YOUR HELP

I blogged on Jan 30th and Feb 10th about the planning refusal for the installation of Photo Voltaic panels on the roof of the nave of St Mary's in Moseley.

St Mary's has now submitted a planning appeal, guided by Planning Aid, and letters of support are needed to persuade the Planning Inspectorate that the grounds for the refusal, that

• the panels would "adversely affect the character and appearance of this listed building" and


• "would not preserve or enhance the character of the Moseley Conservation Area"

St Mary's was lent a PV panel by British Gas, whose Green Streets award of £30,000 contributes towards the cost of this installation. This photo shows the panel as temporarily fixed to the church roof. SusMo members didn't find anyone who had noticed the panel, and when we drew it to people's attention, no-one thought that it "adversely affected" anything.

When we told people that, if the panels were installed, the church would earn about £3,000 a year from the Feed In Tariff, their opinion was that the installation would make a significant, positive contribution to "the character of the Moseley Conservation Area" as there would be funds for the maintenance of the church.

The planning refusal for the installation of Photo Voltaic panels on Beckington School in a conservation area in Somerset was rejected on appeal. The "eventual approval was helped by the publicity that was generated when the story was taken up by the local press and television, which highlighted the problem of going green in a conservation area. This has subsequently led the planning authority to review their planning policy".

An article in the Birmingham Mail on June 10th, "Church Solar Panel Appeal", asks readers to write to letters@birminghammail.net with their comments - please read the article and join the debate.

You can read the appeal document, which was sent to the Case Officer for the appeal, here.

You can read more about the case here.

Please offer your support for the Planning Appeal for the installation of solar panels at St. Mary's Moseley by contacting the Case Officer for the appeal, Ms Jenny Howland,
quoting reference number 2129027, by July 15th,

by email to jenny.howland@pins.gsi.gov.uk, copied to teamp2@pins.gsi.gov.uk or

by post to
The Planning Inspectorate,
Temple Quay House,
2 The Square,
Temple Quay,
Bristol BS1 6PN.

It would be helpful if you would also send a copy to susmo@moseleyforum.org.uk

Thank you - I look forward to reading your messages of support.