Bruges (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Bruges has changed its rules to allow solar panels on visible roofs to balance modern energy needs with protecting its historic beauty. The discussion on this continues.
For many years, residents in Bruges’ historic center and the nearby villages of Lissewege and Dudzele were not allowed to install solar panels on their roofs if they were visible from the street. This rule aimed to protect the city’s architectural heritage, as Bruges is a UNESCO site. Solar panels could only be placed on roof areas out of public view.
What are Bruges’ new solar panel rules and their impact on heritage?
In 2022, the city council updated the rules to make it easier for residents to use solar energy. Now, people can install solar panels on the back of their roofs, even if visible from the street, as long as they meet certain conditions. These conditions help keep the area looking nice, requiring the panels to be at specific angles and in colors that blend with the roof. This change shows the city’s effort to balance preserving its history with the need for modern energy solutions.
The Council for Permit Disputes has changed its decision about solar panels in Bruges. This comes after a request for solar panels on a house in Ezelstraat. The panels wouldn’t be seen from Ezelstraat, but they would be visible from Raamstraat and a nearby park. The city council had approved the permit, but the Bruges Heritage Forum and the Flemish Agency for Immovable Heritage disagreed and appealed. Even though the province of West Flanders approved it, the Heritage Forum and Agency appealed again. Now, the Council says the city cannot make any exceptions because a rule in Bruges does not allow solar panels that can be seen from public places.
According to Wouter Priem, the chairman of the Bruges Heritage Forum, the front and back of roofs should be treated the same when it comes to heritage. He thinks solar panels can harm heritage visible from public areas. He adds that solar panels are okay if they can’t be seen and that there are many roofs where this works. Franky Demon, the local planning official, says they want to balance protecting heritage and being eco-friendly. He suggests having public meetings for permit requests and changing rules for solar panels, but this will take time and studies. They are also considering appealing a recent decision about solar panels.
