The appeal of the solar panels of the church of Santa Anna d’Ings has been rejected

Plans to install solar panels on a Grade II listed village church have been rejected.

The Urban Planning Inspectorate rejected one appeal of the church of Santa Anna placing 28 solar panels after ruling on the proposals would “detriment” the significance of the building.

It comes after the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) rejected the planning application for the church, in Ings, near Windermere, Cumbria, in November.

The church had said it wanted to deal with rising energy costs.

A report said the proposed addition would help the church’s “long-term financial and environmental sustainability,” according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

However, he added: “Against this I have identified damage to the significance of this important listed building.

“This damage relates to the erosion of the visual coherence of the south elevation, a key aspect of the building’s special interest and significance and a focal point for the village of Ings.”

The applicant admitted that the proposals would have some impact on the church’s vision, but would help to achieve the Church of England’s net zero targets and would positively affect its financial security.

A decision notice, issued by the LDNPA, stated that the solar panels would be a “visual intrusion” on the building and surrounding area, which would have an “adverse impact on the outstanding universal values ​​of the English Lakes World Heritage Site”. .