Solar farm plans to help power dairy plant

Plans for a solar farm to help power a dairy factory in the south of Scotland have been submitted.

Arla Foods, the UK's largest dairy cooperative, wants to put up thousands of panels at its creamery in Lockerbie.

It will be the only user of the electricity generated and a direct wire will connect the farm to the factory.

Last year work started on plans to invest £90m in the site which will focus on the production of UHT and lactose-free milk.

In a design statement for the plans, the company said the proposals would contribute "significantly and positively" to carbon emission reduction targets.

It also said there were "increasing concerns" about energy supply security which it could help to address.

The solar farm would comprise nearly 9,000 panels across a 10 hectare (24 acre) site and be surrounded by a security fence.

CCTV cameras would also be put in place which would be activated if there were any intruders to the farm.

The creamery, which was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth 50 years ago, employs about 242 staff.

The site produces 600 million litres of milk and 42,000 tonnes of cheddar annually.