Solar panels could be installed at Bridgwater Town Hall

In 2019, the former county council and four district councils (including Sedgemoor) declared or recognised a climate emergency and worked together to produce a Climate Emergency Strategy to make the county carbon-neutral by 2030.

As part of this, Bridgwater Town Council has assessed its premises to understand where energy efficiency and decarbonisation improvements can be made. 

The town council has now applied for consent to install 112 solar panels at the town hall, located at 36 to 44 High Street. 

The application says: “The proposed array has been designed to maximise the potential solar yield, whilst minimising potential visual impact within the historic townscape of the High Street.

“When installed, the array has the potential to generate a large proportion of the site’s electrical loading requirements, including working in coordination with new electrical heating system solutions.”

Solar panels would be visible on the north-facing roof pitches when viewed from the rear, particularly from Angel Place shopping centre's overground car park, but the council says the visual impact from the town centre streetscape will be “negligible”.

The application concludes: “The proposed photovoltaic array will have minimal impact on the identified significances, primarily by virtue of its very limited visibility from within the historic town centre.

“Any perceived impacts will be balanced by significant gains in allowing the council to meet its decarbonisation commitments in a time of declared climate emergency, and laying a sound foundation for further phases of low-energy refurbishment that will revitalise these important buildings for the betterment of Bridgwater town and its residents.”

This week, the Mercury has also reported on Betfred's plans to relocate a betting shop from 23 High Street to 8 High Street in Bridgwater – a distance of 68 metres. 

Sedgemoor planning round-up

The following planning applications were received by Somerset Council between July 27 and August 2. 

For more details and to comment on applications, visit www.somerset.gov.uk/planning-buildings-and-land.

Ashcott

01/23/00020: Erection of rear (north) and side (west) extensions on site of existing (to be demolished), conversion of loft to form additional living accommodation. The Rookery, 21 Pedwell Hill, Pedwell, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 9BD. 

Badgworth

03/23/00005: Change of use of fenced agricultural/equestrian land to dog training, including an extension to existing hardstanding area and flood lights fixed to existing building. Land to the north of Frasander Paddock, Biddisham Lane, Biddisham, Axbridge, Somerset, BS26. 

03/23/00007: Erection of feed store/implement shed and the formation of riding arena at Mill Wheel Cottage, Bristol Road, Tarnock, Axbridge, Somerset, BS26 2SN. 

Bawdrip

04/23/00003: Erection of wall to the Western boundary (revised scheme) at Sunset View, 80 Bath Road, Knowle, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 8PH. 

Berrow

05/23/00010: Change of use of agricultural land to allow for caravan site extension, with siting of 96 static caravans at Rose Farm, Red Road, Berrow, Burnham On Sea, Somerset, TA8 2RW. 

Brent Knoll

07/23/00015: Formation of new agricultural access, with culvert and concrete surface at land north-west of Vole Road, Brent Knoll, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9. 

Bridgwater

08/23/00272: Installation of roof mounted photovoltaic system to the North & South elevations at the Town Hall, 36-44 High Street, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3AS.

08/23/00278: Change of use of shop (Class E) to betting shop (sui generis), including replacement of air conditioning unit to the rear (North) elevation and re-painting of the fascia with illuminated lettering to the front (South) elevation, also with internal works. 8 High Street, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3BH. 

08/23/00279: Listed building consent. Change of use of shop (Class E) to betting shop (sui generis), including replacement of air conditioning unit to the rear (North) elevation and re-painting of the fascia with illuminated lettering to the front (South) elevation, also with internal works. 8 High Street. 

08/23/00282: Installation of new internally illuminated fascia sign to the front (north) and hanging sign to rear (south) elevations at 29 High Street, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3BG. 

08/23/00290: Change of use of former first floor internet cafe to form additional living accomodation at 23 Eastover, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 5AG. 

08/23/00291: Erection of single storey rear (south) and side (east) wraparound extension at 33 Quantock Road, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 7EG. 

08/23/00300: Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed: installation of a 15m high slim-line phase 9 monopole, supporting 6 no. antennas, 3 no. equipment cabinets and ancillary development thereto including 1 no. GPS module. Adjacent to Kindom Hall, on land at Quantock Terrace, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6. 

Burnham & Highbridge

11/23/00051: Subdivision of existing ground floor flat to form two flats, including the demolition of lean-to on the south elevation, at 89A Berrow Road, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, TA8 2PF. 

11/23/00056: Certificate of lawfulness for the proposed installation of an air source heat pump (ASHP) to the rear (north) of property. 8 Oxford Street, Burnham On Sea, Somerset, TA8 1LG. 

11/23/00060: Erection of a dwelling (revised scheme) at 30 Highbridge Road, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, TA8 1LL. 

11/23/00065: Proposed provision of a second tier of storage containers at Big Bull Self Storage, Bolton Close, Isleport Business Park, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9.

11/23/00067: Erection of single storey rear (east) extension on site of existing conservatory (to be demolished) at 30 Brambles Road, Burnham On Sea, Somerset, TA8 2PY. 

11/23/00080: Crown lift 1No. Ash (T1) (TPO Ref T1) to 3m above ground level and reduce southern side by upto 1.5m back to the previous pruning points. Crown lift 2No.Ash (T3-T4) (TPO Ref T7 & T6) to 3m above ground level. Police Station, Burnham Road, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, TA8 1LS.

Cheddar 

17/23/00046: Erection of an agricultural barn at land north of Warrens Hill, Cheddar, BS27. 

Chilton Polden

19/23/00008: Approval of reserved matters for the erection of a dwelling (Plot 2) (revised scheme) at 21 Broadway, Chilton Polden, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 9DR.

Durleigh 

23/23/00005: Outline application with some matters reserved, for the erection of 2no. dwellings and access arrangements at Queenswood Farm, Broadlands Lane, Durleigh, Bridgwater, TA5 2AR. 

23/23/00006: Formation of new wetland and woodland features to provide improved habitats, and reduce the load of coarse sediment by trapping and storing sediments upstream. Land at Enmore Road, Durleigh, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5 2AW. 

East Brent 

24/23/00016: Approval of the details of appearance, landscaping, layout and scale, for the erection of 40no. dwellings at land to the north of Old Bristol Road, East Brent, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9. 

North Petherton

37/23/00070: Reduce height and spread of Beech (T1) (TPO Ref G1 (T1 & T2 as shown on submitted plan) by 2m, crown lift to achieve clearance of 2 metres from ground level, remove 1 branch (diameter 150mm) at ground level and remove epicormic growth from main stem up to 3 metres from existing ground level. Reduce height and spread of Beech (T2) (TPO Ref G1 (T1 & T2 as shown on submitted plan) by 2m and crown lift to achieve clearance of 2 metres from ground level. Beech Cottage, Brook Street, North Newton, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 0BL. 

Puriton

42/23/00010: Erection of single storey rear (west) extension on site of existing conservatory (to be demolished) and the replacement of single storey rear (west) roof. 4 Rowlands Rise, Puriton, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 8BT.

Spaxton

45/23/00018: Retention of existing portal framed building and site as agircultural use, concrete forcourt area and existing access. Cannington Enterprises Ltd, Cannington, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5. 

Wedmore

50/23/00060: Erection of a dwelling with improved access and associated landscaping at land north of Dandos Lane, Wedmore, Somerset, BS28.

50/23/00061: Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed agricultural building at Old Parlour, Church Lane, Blackford, Wedmore, Somerset, BS28. 

50/23/00062: Certificate of lawfulness for the existing use of digging of a trench to receive foundations pursuant of the lawful commencement of planning permission 50/20/00075. Home Farm, Snake Lane, Theale, Wedmore, Somerset, BS28 4SZ. 

50/23/00067: Certificate of lawfulness for the existing use of home garden office structure for business office use (clerical only) Monday - Friday between the hours of 9am - 5pm. Bear House Farm, Stoughton Cross, Wedmore, BS28 4PU. Application has been withdrawn after registration.