Green energy bid near old nuclear power plant site

Chapelcross ceased power generation 20 years ago and its cooling towers came down after that

A solar energy firm is eyeing up land near an old nuclear power plant site in southern Scotland.

Developers want to put up panels and a battery storage facility close to Chapelcross near Annan.

The Elgin Energy proposals are the second project seeking to take advantage of the proximity to the old power station's link to the National Grid.

A smaller development nearby was approved by councillors about 18 months ago.

The latest project would generate about 150MW of renewable energy - about four times the amount of the project which has already been approved.

Developers have lodged a screening report with the Scottish government to see if an environmental impact assessment would be required.

It details where the panels and battery storage structures would be constructed south of the old power plant.

A perimeter fence would be put up along with a CCTV system.

The company said it would be built in an area which was not considered to be "prime" agricultural land.

The Chapelcross site ceased generation in 2004 and its cooling towers came down a few years later but its substation remains which has attracted developers.

The screening report said the solar scheme would provide clean, renewable and flexible energy.