PROPOSALS for a large-scale solar farm in Linwood have been put forward by Renfrewshire Council.

As part of efforts to make the area carbon neutral in eight years’ time, a feasibility study is to be carried out on whether an old landfill site in Moss Road could be used for a renewable power plant.

Councillor Audrey Doig, who represents Linwood, has welcomed the move, which could breathe new life into a site that has lain vacant for years.

She said: “I am delighted at the leadership board’s approval of a feasibility study looking at the opportunity for a large-scale solar farm on the former landfill site at Moss Road.

“This could be a new green deal for Linwood.

“In many ways, Scotland has won the natural lottery in terms of its abundance of wave, wind and solar power which we can generate.

“Part of the Moss Road has been closed off for years but the part where it is the former landfill site is still open. I am very pleased that a derelict site may now be put to positive use.

“This initiative will find a new use for a site which has been non-productive for years.

“A large-scale solar farm will be increasingly important to all my constituents, given the estimated massive rises in gas and electricity bills. Solar power is a key answer to this coming energy crisis.”

The new project was approved as part of the council’s Climate Change Action Fund, which was created to support initiatives in response to a ‘climate emergency’ declared in Renfrewshire in 2019.

To date, £933,000 out of the £1million pot has been allocated to 12 green schemes.

These include the purchase of electric-powered light commercial vehicles as part of an expansion of the council’s fleet, a project at Bridge of Weir Primary to develop energy-efficient refurbishment options for schools and establishing a community climate fund to help organisations develop green initiatives.