Manx Telecom has applied for planning permission to install solar panels on its Braddan headquarters’ roof.

The application [21/00273/B] was submitted in March to the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture for a ’proposed re-roofing of existing office building and incorporating photovoltaic solar roof panels.’

If approved, Manx Telecom’s headquarters at the Isle of Man Business Park, Cooil Road would acquire the source of green energy.

In the application, the company said a leaky roof is allowing water to seep into the building and needs to be replaced as the existing roof was built approximately 20 years ago.

In the application’s covering letter, it said: ’Ongoing issues have required replacement tiles and repairs to be carried out, as part of the general building maintenance works, due to the continued water regress.

’A recent building survey investigation has been carried out and this concluded that the only long-term solution, to extend the life and maintain the fabric of the building, is to replace the roof tile covering to eliminate inherent issues with the original installation and product defects.’

It would see the removal of the existing concrete roof tiles, membranes and battens beneath, replaced with an ’artificial tile of slate appearance and colour.’

Savage and Chadwick architects who submitted the application on behalf of MT added: ’In conjunction with the proposed re-roofing works the client also proposes to take the opportunity to further their building’s sustainable energy commitments.

’This supports a board requirement in relation to our client’s Environmental Social Governance to reduce their carbon footprint where possible year on year over the short term by 5%.’