Pangbourne resident petitions council for greener planning decisions after solar array is turned down

West Berkshire Council is accused of ‘stonewalling’ a complaint made by a resident trying to get permission to put solar panels in her garden.

Anna Karim has now launched a petition asking people to sign to pressure the council, which has declared a climate emergency to change its tune.

“It remains a point of great sadness for me that a governing body that has declared a climate emergency cannot work proactively with a local resident who is trying to do the best they can to mitigate the largest challenge humanity is facing,” said Anna Karim.

She is petitioning the council to add a climate consultation step to the planning process.

“We ask that the council’s environmental specialist or a member of the planning department review all applications which are going to be refused to see if the application can be made acceptable to be passed on the grounds that the application has significant climate change mitigation impact.”

It already has more than 100 signatures.

Ms Karim has also lodged a complaint that a council officer referring to her as ‘a self proclaimed climate activist’ had an impact on her application being refused, whereas two others, also in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), were approved.

“I would like to know why this is mentioned at all on an internal email and why it is relevant to describe me in this way?” She asks.

“I would also like to determine the extent of the negative connotations she attaches to climate activism and why a council employee may talk this way when at the same time her employer West Berks has declared a climate emergency.”

Ms Karim’s application to put solar panels at her property in Pangbourne was turned down by the council because “it would urbanise an area of land that provides separation between Woodland Manor and Lower Bowden Barn”.

“The cumulative impact of development within this sensitive location that is elevated and open to the north of the site would harm the rural character and setting of the designated AONB landscape,” said the council.

The neighbours had objected fearing glint and glare from the panels and that they could see the array from their property. They suggested an alternative site.

“This is illogical. Either a panel causes harm or it does not. It cannot cause harm in one area of AONB and no harm in another,” added Ms Karim, who claims other solar arrays have been permitted in the AONB.

“The area of land that I applied for solar on is a patch of grass that is an infill in between my buildings and my neighbours’ which cannot be seen by the public from any viewpoint anywhere.

“We did not apply for panels to be put out in the open valley. I would like to address the thinking of the planning department in turning down solar applications whilst working for a body that has declared a climate emergency and itself is planning to install 57,160 solar panels.”

She says she has conducted a so-called glint and glare survey which demonstrates there is no glint or glare to her neighbour.

She further attacks the council claiming there is absolutely no advice or guidance on how she could make her application amenable to the planning department despite asking repeatedly via email for such advice.

She has now involved her MP Sir Alok Sharma.

“As he rightly pointed out, without humanity coming together and working the hardest they can to address climate change, there will be no AONB,” she added.

West Berkshire Council said it understands that the applicant is disappointed by the outcome of the planning application.

“In principle we are very supportive of actions residents want to take to help protect our environment,” said a spokesperson.

“However, we need to balance our commitments to the environment and our aim for a carbon-neutral district with planning protections around our landscape, heritage assets and the character of our area.

“It was due to the detrimental impact on the landscape and potential impact on neighbouring property that the application was refused.

“We understand the applicant has lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate.

“We continue to be in discussion with the applicant as we look to address the issues raised with us through our complaints procedure.”

Tony Vickers, (Lib Dem, Hungerford and Kintbury), executive member for planning said: “Whilst there is no greater threat to our lovely landscape and heritage assets in West Berkshire than runaway climate change, in this case the balance of decision in planning policy terms seems correct.

“I will be interested to see whether the inspector agrees.”