Tight timescales, a bouncy roof and the benefits of working with local contractors - all part of the job for Scene as we helped the community owned McLaren Leisure deliver CARES funded solar panels on the leisure centre in Callander, to reduce their running costs and cut their carbon emissions.
McLaren Leisure secured funding through the Scottish Government's Community Energy Generation Growth Fund to install rooftop solar on the rooftops of its leisure centre in Callander, but with time running out to get the system installed and operating within the funding window, Scene were appointed to provide project management support.
Our support included preparing the planning application and supporting environmental information, since the location within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park meant that Permitted Development Rights did not apply and a full planning application was required. We also coordinated the Building Warrant process, and the good relations the community owned leisure centre has with both regulatory authorities (National Park Authority looks after planning while Stirling Council remains responsible for Building Warrants) meant that both consents came through in good time.
In parallel, the procurement process identified Ledi Renewables, a local firm, as the preferred bidder and they were ready to start on site as soon as the consents were in place. A flexible approach was necessary to adapt the scheme design after roof inspections of the flat roof to check the long-term condition of the waterproof membrane before installation found the roof had rather too much spring in it for everyone to be happy about installing solar panels with a weighted ballast system - particularly since this roof is over the soft play area!
Thankfully, the weather, which certainly has the potential to disrupt installation in this part of Scotland when working on a roof in the middle of winter, didn't cause any serious delays and the job was completed on time, on budget, and ready to support sun-powered sport for the next 25 years.