206-year-old Wrexham pub wants to fit 40 solar panels.

The historic Boat Inn - situated in Erbistock's conservation area, is seeking permission to install 40 solar panels on its roof and rear embankment. <i>(Image: Wrexham County Borough Council)</i>
The historic Boat Inn - situated in Erbistock's conservation area, is seeking permission to install 40 solar panels on its roof and rear embankment. (Image: Wrexham County Borough Council)
This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald.
Close Icon

Find, save and share Public Notices that affect you in the area.

Search the Public Notice Portal What is the Public Notice Portal?

What is the Public Notice Portal?

The Public Notice Portal carries statutory public notices published in local newspapers and is the fastest and most effective way of finding out what is happening in YOUR neighbourhood.

Search the Public Notice Portal

A 206-year-old pub near Wrexham is seeking permission to install 40 solar panels on its roof to reduce its energy costs and environmental impact.

The Boat Inn in Erbistock is a Grade II-listed building that has been an inn since at least 1820. It was once the site of a hand-operated chain ferry linking the pub with Overton and in the 1880s straddled the then boundary between Denbighshire and Flintshire.

The freehold of the pub is also believed to still hold salmon-fishing rights on the Dee.

Now, through agent MTP Town Planning, its owners are seeking to install 40 solar panels on the rear roof and the grass bank behind the pub.

In its application the Boat Inn states the plan is due to its high energy consumption and commitment to renewable energy generation.

A Heritage Access Statement included with the application acknowledges the site’s historical significance, but suggests the panels would not be overly visible within the conservation area.

“The significance of the Boat Inn is high, as is the Church of St Hilary and the Erbistock Conservation Area,” said the statement.

“The panel array will be bordered by old oak railway sleepers with planting in front of rosemary and sage to mitigate the impact. It will not affect the foreground view that draws the eye to the Boat Inn.

“On balance it is considered to preserve the conservation area’s character and appearance.”

Wrexham County Borough Council is expected to make a decision on the application by Tuesday, August 25.

Get involved
with the news

Send your news & photos