Solar panels plan for roof of ‘outbuilding’ near historic site with links to Darwin and Domesday Book
A plan has been lodged to put 28 solar panels on top of an ‘outbuilding’ close to an historic Telford property with links to the Domesday Book and Charles Darwin.
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The current owners of the Grade II listed Eyton Hall, at Eyton upon the Weald Moors, north of Wellington, want to ‘improve the energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint’ of the estate.
Planning documents lodged with Telford & Wrekin Council say the owners have “carried out significant works to the building and the grounds in order to secure its future".
They have identified two mid 19th-century brick-built ranges which are now used for garaging and storage for the panels.
A heritage statement has been compiled by Shropshire based planning agent Moss Co LLP because the application site is close to such an important local asset.
The background papers submitted to planners explain the significance of the site.
The Eyton family owned the house for centuries – until 1962 – and among their number was Thomas Campbell Eyton (1809–1880), a well-known ornithologist and a friend of Charles Darwin with whom he was at Cambridge.
He assembled one of the largest ornithological collections in the country and added a galleried museum wing to the south west of the house and a library. This wing was demolished in the 1960’s.
“While a house has stood on the site for many centuries, the existing building is an amalgamation of parts, with the outer appearance of an early Victorian mansion,” the submissions read.
But an excerpt from Historic Houses reads: “A manor at Eyton has been identified since the Domesday Book (1087), and the Eyton family resided here since then until 1962.”
The estate fell into decline until being taken over by the present owners who have “embarked on an ongoing process of restoration and renovation since 2018.”
The agents are urging council planners to approve the plan, which they say will pose ‘no significant harm” to the setting of the listed building.
“It is considered that the solar panel installation will generally support preservation of the character and appearance of the building and the adjacent heritage asset, in line with policies, guidance and legislation,” the agents conclude.
Two planning applications have been lodged for the application, one for listed building consent, and the other for full planning permission.
Members of the public can comment on both applications on the Telford & Wrekin Council planning pages, with the reference numbers TWC/2025/0057 (Full Planning Application) and TWC/2025/0058 (Listed Building Application).