Planning application - local requirement (draft update)
A structural survey is a detailed inspection of a building's structural integrity, conducted by a structural engineer, to identify potential issues and ensure any proposed development won't compromise the building's safety or stability.
When this report is required
Current text
You will need to submit a structural survey report in the following circumstances:
- Any development which will affect the structure of a listed building, including repair or restoration to the structure of the building
- Any demolition in a Conservation Area where structural issues are cited as part of the case for the demolition work
Proposed addition
- Any proposal to install solar photovoltaics (PV) and solar thermals on a listed building, to assess the capacity of the roof structure to accommodate the additional loading.
Rationale
An assessment of the roof structure is needed from a structural engineer, to ensure that damage and/or harm to historic fabric and significance does not occur, as a result proposals for roof mounted solar equipment. This addition to the scope of the requirement is in accordance with the Energy Efficiency, Retrofitting and Sustainable Construction SPD (2022), which requires us to give consideration to the additional weight on roof structures of solar energy systems.
What the survey should include
The Practice Guide from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), below, defines the professional standards that all chartered surveyors should follow when completing a structural survey.