Hundreds of solar panels on supermarket approved

The new Aldi is being built off Philadelphia Lane

Planners have approved the installation of hundreds of solar panels on the roof of a new supermarket.

Sunderland City Council approved an application for the new Aldi supermarket under construction off Philadelphia Lane, north of Houghton-le-Spring.

Aldi Stores Ltd the 222 solar panels would help reduce its carbon footprint and "contribute towards mitigating climate change".

Council planners said there would be "no additional harm" to a listed former power station nearby and that it would be "unlikely to cause glint or glare to the occupiers of the existing bungalows to the south of the site".

The Labour-led local authority's planning department approved the plans on Monday, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

In a decision report, city planners said the solar panels would be placed on a "relatively shallow pitched roof".

The council's conservation officer added there would be a negligible additional impact on former NCB Power Station nearby, beyond what had already been considered when the supermarket was initially approved.