A disused military airfield is to undergo a reinvention as part of plans to increase Moray’s renewable energy output.
The RAF Milltown base, located three miles to the north-east of Elgin, was closed for flying in 1977 – but yesterday Moray Council backed a proposal which will bring it into the 21st century.
Up to 200,000 solar panels could be installed across a 300-acre plot set aside for the development at the site, which was originally established to help Allied efforts in World War II.
The solar panels will be erected along the outside of existing runway paths.
The local authority’s planning and regulatory services committee unanimously backed the scheme, after learning that it could generate up to 49.9 megawatts of power over the next 25 years.
A report penned by Moray Council’s principal planning officer, Angus Burnie, explained the benefits of the project.
It states: “The estimated total generation capacity of the development at RAF Milltown is 49.9MW to be provided from approximately 200,000 panels.
“Associated infrastructure for this project will include one primary substation, 50 smaller substations, 20 CCTV cameras and a 2.4m (7ft) high deer fence.”
The site will be accessed from an existing from an existing entrance off the B9103 road.
The programme is expected to conclude after 25 years, but over its duration the land at Milltown will remain in agricultural use.
The expanse will be used for sheep grazing, while existing hedgerows and trees will be retained within the site.
Developers Elgin Energy EsCo Limited will consult with Innes and the adjoining Lossiemouth and Elgin Community Councils on how best to move forward with the plans.
RAF Milltown, which was also known as HMS Fulmar II, was established as a bombing decoy for the nearby RAF Lossiemouth in 1943.
After being closed for flying the site was developed as a communications station.