COUNCIL chiefs have refused an application to install solar panels at a Helensburgh house.

Brendon Aylott, represented by Mesh Architecture, was seeking to situate the new features at 2A West Montrose Street, but Argyll and Bute Council gave the plans the thumbs down.

A report by caseload officer Frazer MacLeod states that installing the panels would be "contrary to policy" and the solar panels would not be in keeping with the historic building.

Mr Aylott also wanted to install new windows and carry out internal and external repairs, but a partial approval was deemed not possible by the council.

Mr MacLeod's document said: "(The) Panels will occupy over 50 per cent of the roof plane.

"These panels would, by nature of their location, detract from the historic fabric of the listed building and be detrimental to the visual amenity of the Upper Helensburgh conservation area.

"By doing so they would be contrary to policy.

"The solar panels are, by virtue of their appearance, size and positioning, prominent, incongruous features which would project above the existing roof plane.

"The panels are constructed from modern materials and appear as modern additions, alien and unsympathetic to the historic building. They are dominant, visually obtrusive and visually discordant.

"By placing this number of panels on the principle elevation, some of the historic fabric of the building is covered and lost, which has a detrimental impact on the character and appearance of this Category B listed building.

"The other proposed alterations will improve the appearance of the house and the conversion to a self-contained annex is acceptable, however a part grant/part refuse decision is not possible in this instance."

Historic Environment Scotland had also expressed concerns about the proposal to install solar panels.

A response from its case officer James Turner said: "Locating the panels to the principal roof slope would have a detrimental visual impact to the special interest and historic character of the villa.

"We would therefore recommend that they are relocated to a less visually prominent area of the building."