The Church of England is facing a backlash over plans to install solar panels on the Grade I listed Archbishop of Canterbury’s residence.
Dame Sarah Mullally will become the first female principal leader of the Church of England next year.
Ahead of her installation ceremony in January, the Church Commissioners for England have submitted two sets of plans to undertake renovations at the Archbishop’s official Canterbury residence.
But heritage campaigners from the Canterbury Heritage Design Forum (CHDF) said the plans were “not aesthetically pleasing”.
Under the plans, solar panels would be installed on the roof of the Grade I listed Old Palace, as part of “net zero and energy efficiency” measures.
Alongside the solar panels, a new toilet and bathroom would be installed and several stairlifts placed throughout the building.
Fire alarms and smoke detectors would also be added to the property and a “commercial kitchen” in the palace would be reworked, with units removed and a partition wall knocked down.
The Church Commissioners also want to undertake external alteration work, including repairs and partial replacement to roof coverings, replacement rainwater goods and stonework conservation.
In comments registered with Canterbury city council, the forum said it was a “well-thought-out application and sensitively done”.
However, they added: “CHDF find it hard to like these proposals, necessary though they may be to meet access requirements and to improve sustainability.
“Most of the changes seem to be reversible, which is fortunate as they are not aesthetically pleasing as far as can be seen.”
Meanwhile, the Canterbury District Swifts group said swifts could be present in the eaves of the historic building.
Swifts are considered an endangered species in the UK and are listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species because of dramatic population declines over the last several decades.
They said: “We are conscious there might be natural swift nests in the eaves of the palace.
“We would, therefore, request that a condition is placed on this planning application to ensure that a thorough examination takes place prior to the commencement of the roofing works to determine whether there are any natural nest sites present and, if so, to ensure that the access holes to those nests are carefully recorded and retained.”
Planning documents also state pipistrelle, brown long-eared, Natterer’s and Daubenton’s bats have been discovered in the residence.
‘Works are fully reversible’
Savills, representing the Church Commissioners, said of the plans: “Although the area has undergone significant alteration over time, it retains considerable historic value and sensitivity.
“The proposals are intended to improve functionality while respecting the historic character of the building and are accompanied by minor repair works.
“The works are fully reversible and have been designed to respect the character of the space while improving its functionality.
“In heritage terms, the level of harm is considered none, and the intervention supports the continued use and adaptability of this Grade I listed building in a manner that is both practical and respectful.”
Dame Sarah is the current Bishop of London and Archbishop-elect of Canterbury and will replace Justin Welby, who resigned in his handling of abuse allegations in the Anglican Church.
Earlier this week, calls were made to have Dame Sarah’s appointment as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury “halted” amid concerns over her previous handling of safeguarding cases.
A spokesman for the Church Commissioners said: “The building is in need of maintenance and repair, which is routinely carried out when a property is empty – this includes roof works, damp proofing and the general maintenance required for a Grade 1 historic building of this kind, consistent with our obligations as good asset managers.
“We are of course mindful of the views of the local community and will do everything we can to ensure the works cause minimal disruption – both to the locals as well as the wildlife that has made its home on the site.
“The installation of solar panels is designed to ‘future-proof’ the site, cutting emissions and reducing running costs over the long term and is part of the Church of England’s ambition to become net zero by 2030, as approved by Synod in 2022.”