Solar panels will be fitted on the roof of a popular Ryde public swimming pool as part of works approved by the Isle of Wight Council this week.

The Waterside Community Trust applied to the council to carry out a refurbishment and alteration project at Waterside Pool, including energy saving measures to reduce the pool's carbon emissions and running costs.

In addition to solar panels being installed on the pool's southern building roof, the facility will get a new heat exchanger plant to better meet its energy needs, with enhanced efficiency and heat recovery.

A heat exchanger is a device which transfers heat from one medium to another.

In a Design Access and Ecology Statement prepared on behalf of the applicant, construction and property consultants ERMC said: "Whilst the Waterside Pool building does not have listed status, it is situated within the esplanade conservation area.

"There are no elements of historic interest remaining in the building itself, and therefore no need for these to be preserved or restored.

"The running costs of a publicly accessible swimming pool are considerable.

"The recent over inflationary uplift in energy costs dictate that the trusties seek to mitigate these costs as much as possible, for the facility to remain financially viable.

"The need for the panels is therefore highly justified, and should be given more weight than any perceived visually detrimental effect on the conservation area."

Other works involve replacing part of the main building's roof with a flat roof to improve the junction between the current, original changing rooms and a subsequently added roof glazing system and a small extension to the pool's heat exhanger plant room to enable the fitting of a new plant.

County Hall approved Waterside Community Trust's application on the basis that it would improve the use of the site for the benefit of tourism and leisure in the area.

The council's Officer Written Justification report concluded, on balance, the solar panels would not have a negative effect on the Ryde Conservation Area.

Efficiency gains from the panels and the report's view that tourism and leisure form part of the area's character were also given as reasons to support the application.

Proposed works were not considered to result in any increase to flood risk or risk to life at the pool.

Two conditions attached to the council's approval are that development is started within three years of permission being granted and submitted plans are followed.

Ryde Town Council made no objection to the proposals.