Shopping centre's plans for hundreds of new solar panels are approved

Sunderland City Council’s planning department has approved an application for The Galleries.

Plans submitted to council officials earlier this year asked for permission for the installation of 764 roof-mounted solar PV panels.

The council’s planning department backed the application earlier this month after saying that “there will be no material harm to the amenity of the area”.

It was also noted that the “proposed panels would not be easily visible from public view” and that it would be “unlikely that they would create glare that would adversely impact members of the public or any neighbouring occupiers.”

The plans follow a number of recent applications for solar panel installations at key buildings across Sunderland and South Tyneside as organisations look to slash carbon emissions.

Among the proposed locations are health buildings, leisure sites, factory units and schools.