Solar Panel Consultation

We are inviting residents to take part in a discussion about the future of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels in the Heritage Character Area.

Letchworth Garden City is the world’s first Garden City, and we are responsible for helping preserve the character of Letchworth by protecting key features of individual houses and their setting through the Heritage Foundation’s Design Principles, governed by the Scheme of Management or your lease.

We recognise the changing climate and the needs of homeowners to modernise energy sources.

At present, the Design Principles require PV solar panels in the Heritage Character Area to be located on rear roof slopes, away from public view, and we want to hear residents’ views on whether additional considerations are required.

Have your Say

No decision has been made. This consultation is intended to help the Heritage Foundation understand Heritage Character Area residents' views before progressing. Before discussing, we’d really welcome your initial views which you can share here.

Join the Discussion

On Tuesday 29 September, we will be hosting a panel discussion and Q&A with representatives from the Heritage Foundation, Decarbonise Letchworth and the Letchworth Garden City Society to debate whether the current approach in the Heritage Character Area should remain in place or whether changes should be considered to allow greater flexibility for PV solar panel installations.

The event will be facilitated by an Independent Chair and will provide attendees with an opportunity to ask questions to the speakers on the night.

A summary of the feedback received and how it has been considered will be published following the event.

When booking your place, you will have the opportunity to submit a question regarding PV solar in the HCA in advance.

Providing questions before the event will help us understand the issues that matter most to residents and ensure that the discussion reflects the topics people most want to explore.

We will use these submissions to help shape the event and tailor the discussion where possible. There will also be opportunities to ask additional questions during the event itself.

Please note we will not be discussing individual properties, if you have a specific question about your property please contact home@letchworth.com.

If you are unable to attend in person, the event will also be broadcast live via Breathe Radio and streamed on YouTube on the Breathe Radio channel.

The information you provide via the forms on this page will be collected and processed by KOR Communications, acting as a data processor for this topic only on behalf of Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation, for the sole purpose of gathering and analysing feedback as well as providing updates related only to the PV solar in the Heritage Character Area event only. Your personal data will be handled in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Your responses will be treated confidentially and will only be shared with Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation in an anonymised or aggregated format, unless you choose to provide identifying details and consent to their use. Your data will not be used for any purpose other than the stated project and will be securely deleted after 5 years.

If you wish to contact us, please send an email home@letchworth.com or write to One Garden City, Letchworth, SG6 3BF. You have the right to request access to, rectification, or deletion of your personal data, as well as the right to restrict or object to its processing.