PLANS to install 744 solar panels on the roof of a Grade II-listed building in Southampton have been given the go-ahead.

The city council has approved an application relating to a former goods shed at the old Southampton Terminus railway station, which is now a casino.

The shed is currently being used to provide student parking at the Lucia Foster Welch halls of residence complex at Royal Crescent Road.

The former Southampton Terminus railway station, pictured in the 1950s.

Under the scheme, polycarbonate roof lights will be removed after being damaged by UV light, which has made them "brittle and dangerous".

The application said: "The south-facing aspect of the metal sheet roof will be removed and replaced with further metal sheeting, plus the addition of solar panels. The north-facing aspect will be removed and replaced with solar panels."

In a letter to the council Simon Reynier, of the City of Southampton Society, said the panels on the good shed would be visible from Royal Crescent Road.

But he added: "On the other hand we are aware of both the environmental and economic benefits of using solar panels."

The former Southampton Terminus station is next to South Western House, which used to be a hotel.

A council report said the proposal sought to add solar panels and replace the existing roof lights. Repairs to the roof supports and the walls would also be carried out.

It added: "The scheme has been amended to reduce the impact of the proposal on the building.

"A site visit revealed that the existing metal sheet roof covering and polycarbonate roof lights are modern, dating from 1995. It was also noted that the roof lines of the eight bays are not visible from street level.

"The energy efficiency of the panels would offer substantial benefits to the wider site.

An archive photograph of South Western House when it was a hotel.

"Although solar panels on listed buildings would not normally be supported, it is acknowledged that the panels would affect a modern surface and would be relatively obscured, ensuring the historic character of the building would not be diminished.

"Solar panels are designed to absorb light and minimise reflections and it is considered unlikely that any glare to neighbours would be caused."

Southampton Terminus, the first railway station to open in the city, was operational between 1840 and 1966. Many of Titanic's first-class passengers passed through the station in April 1912 before staying at the neighbouring South Western Hotel.

The former goods shed is owned by Every Student, which has been contacted for comment.

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