Posted: Fri 17th Jul 2026

Sainsbury’s Given Green Light to Install Solar Panels on Supermarket Roof Without Planning Permission

A SUPERMARKET has been told it can press ahead with its plans to cover its roof with solar panels without seeking planning permission. 
Sainsbury’s wants to mount the solar panels on the flat roof of its giant supermarket at Llywelyn Road opposite the Cwmbran Shopping Centre. 
It asked Torfaen Borough Council’s planning department to issue a certificate of lawful development confirming its plans are in line with policy, and lawful, and as such a full planning application wouldn’t be required. 
It had to show the plans met relevant policies and its application confirmed the panels were below the maximum one metre panel height permitted on flat roofs and they would be cited more than one metre from the edge of the roof. 
Council planning officer Caroline Pulley confirmed the application met all the relevant criiteria and stated, in a report: “The proposal does not require planning permission and as such, a certificate of lawfulness for a proposed development) can be issued.”  ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

%gallery% ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

By BBC LDRS ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​



Spotted something? Got a story? Email News@News.Wales



More from Torfaen Council

Gymnastics Club in Torfaen Hopes to Double Capacity with Move to Vacant Warehouse

Torfaen Council

Plans Proposed to Create New Retail Units in Vacant Pontypool Shop on Crane Street

Torfaen Council

Former Bakery in Pontypool might become Yoga Studio, Pending Council Approval

Torfaen Council

Owners of Cwmbran Centre Apply for Change of Use Planning Permission for Former Shop

Torfaen Council

Thousands Cut Off Due to Prolonged Road Closures in Pontypool

Torfaen Council

Garage boss appeals decision to block new workshop build

Torfaen Council

Latest from News.Wales

Gymnastics Club in Torfaen Hopes to Double Capacity with Move to Vacant Warehouse

Torfaen Council

Pontypridd Road to Close Overnight for Tree Removal Works

Rhondda Council

Wrexham Council deems carcinogenic ‘forever chemicals’ dumped in Ruabon not dangerous enough to warrant multi-million pound clean-up

Wrexham Council

Plans Proposed to Create New Retail Units in Vacant Pontypool Shop on Crane Street

Torfaen Council

Former Bakery in Pontypool might become Yoga Studio, Pending Council Approval

Torfaen Council

Proposal to Cut Pembrokeshire Council Tax Premium for Second Homes Using Potential Tourism Tax Funds

Pembrokeshire Council