Plans to install solar panels above two car parks at Radbroke Hall to generate 35 per cent of the electricity needed for the site are a 'no-brainer', a councillor said.

Cheshire East's northern planning committee took just 20 minutes to approve the application from Barclays Bank to install the photovoltaic cells above 925 parking spaces at the site at Over Peover , which employs about 4,000 people.

Planning officers had recommended the scheme for approval, but said it would represent inappropriate development in the green belt.

They also said the proposals would result in 'less than substantial' harm to heritage assets and have an adverse impact on the setting of the Grade II listed Radbroke Hall.

The applicant's agent, Alice May, told the meeting on Wednesday the scheme would generate enough energy to power the equivalent of 737 homes for the entire year.

"During the summer months the output of the panels would be greater than the electricity required to power the site which means the campus is effectively off-grid during those months," said Ms May.

She added enough energy would also be generated to power 100 electric vehicle charging points.

The committee was told new trees would be planted to replace any which had to be removed.

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Knutsford councillor Tony Dean (Con), pictured below, said: "I think this is an excellent scheme. I'm very keen on anything we can do to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and this is a big step forward from one large employer in the borough, so the harm to me is not as great as it's stated in the [planning officer's] report."

Plans to install solar panels above two car parks at Radbroke Hall to generate 35 per cent of the electricity needed for the site are a 'no-brainer', a councillor said.

Cheshire East's northern planning committee took just 20 minutes to approve the application from Barclays Bank to install the photovoltaic cells above 925 parking spaces at the site at Over Peover , which employs about 4,000 people.

Planning officers had recommended the scheme for approval, but said it would represent inappropriate development in the green belt.

They also said the proposals would result in 'less than substantial' harm to heritage assets and have an adverse impact on the setting of the Grade II listed Radbroke Hall.

The applicant's agent, Alice May, told the meeting on Wednesday the scheme would generate enough energy to power the equivalent of 737 homes for the entire year.

"During the summer months the output of the panels would be greater than the electricity required to power the site which means the campus is effectively off-grid during those months," said Ms May.

She added enough energy would also be generated to power 100 electric vehicle charging points.

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The committee was told new trees would be planted to replace any which had to be removed.

Knutsford councillor Tony Dean (Con) said: "I think this is an excellent scheme. I'm very keen on anything we can do to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and this is a big step forward from one large employer in the borough, so the harm to me is not as great as it's stated in the [planning officer's] report."

Cllr Craig Browne (Alderley Edge, Ind) said: "For me this scheme comes under the heading of no-brainer. I think we should be encouraging more businesses to do this. Yes, it's regrettable there will be a loss of trees and also, we heard, there's a green belt consideration, but there isn't really because this is already a car park."

He proposed the committee approve the application.

Cllr Stewart Gardiner (Knutsford, Con) said: "I would say, given the benefits accrued from what's being proposed, the harm would be negligible on the heritage asset."

The application was unanimously approved by the committee but, because the proposal represents inappropriate development in the green belt and is over a certain scale, that approval will be subject to consultation with the Secretary of State.

Cllr Tony Dean (Photo: Cheshire East Council)

Cllr Craig Browne (Alderley Edge, Ind) said: "For me this scheme comes under the heading of no-brainer. I think we should be encouraging more businesses to do this. Yes, it's regrettable there will be a loss of trees and also, we heard, there's a green belt consideration, but there isn't really because this is already a car park."

He proposed the committee approve the application.

Cllr Stewart Gardiner (Knutsford, Con) said: "I would say, given the benefits accrued from what's being proposed, the harm would be negligible on the heritage asset."

The application was unanimously approved by the committee but, because the proposal represents inappropriate development in the green belt and is over a certain scale, that approval will be subject to consultation with the Secretary of State.