Furious neighbours have expressed strong opposition to Sainsbury’s plans for the installation of solar panels on the roof of their supermarket located on Linden Park Road in Tunbridge Wells. The proposed project aims to establish a substantial 432kWp (kilowatt-peak) solar energy system across the roofing structure, a move that the supermarket chain believes will significantly contribute to its sustainability efforts by reducing carbon emissions.

According to the planning application submitted to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) at the end of February, Sainsbury’s claims that the installation could offset approximately 81 tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually. The proposal highlights that the solar panels will be positioned to minimise their impact on the external appearance of the building and the quality of life for nearby residents. The application asserts that while parts of the solar panel installation will be visible from elevated positions, they will not be prominently noticeable from the street level, with the surrounding structures providing a degree of shielding.

To address concerns regarding potential glare caused by the panels, Sainsbury’s submitted a “Glint & glare statement” as part of its planning documents. This report acknowledges that while it is impossible to completely eliminate reflection, the type of solar panels proposed will reflect less light compared to other common objects in the environment. Sainsbury’s employed a dark-coloured and anti-reflective panel technology to mitigate glint.

Despite these assurances from Sainsbury’s, the local community remains unconvinced. Barry Donovan, a resident of Linden Gardens, voiced his opposition in communication with the planning department, stating, “The glare produced by this vast number of solar panels is totally unacceptable.” He expressed concern that any glare would adversely affect local residents’ well-being and property values, noting that the gardens of many homes are level with the supermarket’s roof.

Patricia Fuller, another resident, reinforced these sentiments, describing the expected glare as “intolerable.” She articulated her apprehension regarding the proximity of the Sainsbury’s site, noting the inadequate screening currently present. Caroline Angell, echoing concerns shared by others, indicated that the solar panel installation would have a “detrimental impact on both our well-being and the value of our homes.”

As it stands, the timing of the TWBC planning committee’s decision regarding Sainsbury’s solar panel application remains uncertain. In a statement, a representative from Sainsbury’s confirmed the company’s commitment to achieving Net Zero in its operations by 2035 and emphasised that they would carefully consider factors, such as minimising glare onto surrounding properties, during the installation process.

Source: Noah Wire Services