Successful Solar Panel Installation on a Grade II Listed Building in Sevenoaks

We’re thrilled to share a major win: Grade II listed solar panels approved in Sevenoaks, Kent. This project demonstrates how historic properties can embrace modern sustainability without compromising their heritage value, and proves that solar panels on a grade II listed building can be achieved with specialist heritage advice and the right approach.

Grade II listed solar panels: the Sevenoaks scheme

Heritage Unlimited was appointed to navigate the heritage challenges of this project. The listed building sits adjacent to a conservation area and near a non-designated heritage asset. The client aimed to boost the property’s energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint. An earlier application had been withdrawn, and pre-application advice from the council had then raised concerns about potential visual and physical harm. Heritage Unlimited stepped in to build a stronger, evidence-based case.

Our expert approach

Our consultant conducted a thorough site visit to understand the heritage context. This involved:

• Evaluating the listed building, its setting, the adjacent conservation area, and the non-designated heritage asset.
• Analysing short- and long-range views, confirming that the south-facing roof pitches were not visible from public areas.
• Conducting detailed internal and external assessments of the building’s fabric and structure.

We collaborated closely with OPEN Architecture to develop a minimally invasive design that protected the significance of the various heritage assets.

Building a strong case

To build a robust case, we drew on guidance like Historic England’s Advice Note 18 (Adapting Historic Buildings for Energy and Carbon Efficiency) and the National Planning Policy Framework, and prepared a comprehensive Heritage Statement (now termed a Heritage Impact Assessment). Key justifications included the classification of the selected roof pitches as secondary and less prominent, and an installation designed to minimise any physical impact on the building fabric.

The conservation officer maintained an objection. The applications were decided by the council’s Development Management Committee, and the Chief Planning Officer’s report recommended approval, finding that the panels would not be prominent on the less visible roof slopes and that their effect would be reversible. The committee granted planning permission and listed building consent in December 2024.

The full case study, with the roof evidence, the panel layout and the consent details, is on our St Johns Hill project page.

Broader impact

This success builds on our track record in sustainable heritage projects, such as obtaining permission for 168 ground-mounted solar panels in the grounds of a listed Elizabethan stately home at Paxhill Park. Heritage Unlimited is passionate about blending environmental efficiency with historic preservation. If you’re considering sustainability upgrades for a historic property, get in touch, we’re here to guide you through the process.

For more on how we approach this type of work, see our energy efficiency for listed buildings service page, or read about listed building consent more broadly, or read our guide to solar panels on listed buildings.