Solar roof plans for historic chapel refused

Plans to fit solar roof slates to a York chapel have been refused by council planners.

York St John University had applied to refurbish Quad South Chapel and install renewable energy technology as part of efforts to improve the building's sustainability.

However, City of York Council planners concluded the changes would damage elements of the building's historic character.

"It is not considered that this benefit would outweigh the level of harm identified," planning officers said.

The Grade II listed chapel, on the university's campus off Lord Mayor's Walk, was built in the 1850s shortly after the opening of what was then York St John College.

Designed by architect George Townsend Andrews in the Gothic Revival style, the building became a performance space in the 1960s and a drama studio in 2005.

Plans included replacing the existing slate roof, installing insulation and a breathable membrane, repairing stonework and guttering and fitting solar slates to the roof.

Planning documents stated: "The chapel is an important education facility within York St John University and this development will ensure that it continues to serve that key function."

The university added that the works would help maintain the heritage asset while contributing to net-zero ambitions.

However, York Civic Trust objected to the scheme, arguing the solar slates would be highly visible and would harm the character of the building.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service in refusing the application, council officers said the plan would result in the loss of historic features which contributed to the chapel's significance.

They concluded: "The proposal would cause less than substantial harm to the Grade II listed building.

"Whilst the solar slates are proposed with the intention of mitigating climate change and seek to facilitate the building meeting a net zero target, it is not considered this benefit would outweigh the level of harm identified."

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