Over 1,400 solar panels to be installed at Leigh Infirmary

Prior approval was required and granted at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation on Tuesday, February 17.

Plans explain the work will be carried out by Dalka Energy Services at the hospital site.

The hospital stands amid a mix of old and new structures, predominantly featuring single and multi-storey buildings with both flat and pitched roofs.

The surrounding area, primarily residential, is enclosed by homes on The Avenue to the south, Charles Street to the west, and Westrees to the east..

Under the plan, a total of 1,425 solar panels will be deployed on various pitched and flat rooftops across the hospital premises.

Despite the potential impact on the site's visual aesthetics and the surrounding community, certain assurances have been provided.

The panels, apart from harnessing solar energy, are expected to meet specific siting and height restrictions as outlined under planning regulations, with the aim of seeing no disruption to the hospital's architectural composition or the neighbourhood's visual appeal.

Residents were informed of the proposal, and only one representation was received, voicing support for the plans.

The proposal was assessed in respect to the Town and Country Planning Order 2015.

According to planning documents, the build and style of the hospital allowed the installation to be approved under permitted development.

The main requirement for this was ensuring compliance with Class J restrictions, such as not protruding more than 20cm above the roof slope or being higher than one metre above the highest part of a flat roof.