NORTH Ayrshire Council has confirmed that a planning application for an Environmental Impacts Assessment (EIA) screening relates to a potential proposal for a solar energy development.

The application was submitted on behalf of an unnamed company by Gillan Consulting.

This related to a site of approximately 1.5 hectares in size at the site of the former storage compound to the south-east of the Stevenston Sewage Treatment Works.

The potential for a solar energy development in this area will no doubt raise eyebrows, given its proximity to the suggested Ardeer site for the UK’s first nuclear fusion power plant.

No official application for the site has been submitted as of yet, and North Ayrshire Council is unaware if any other sites are being considered, as applicants for the screening do not need to disclose this information.

In terms of the EIA screening, NAC’s planning committee determined that this was would not be required if a planning application was made.

A council spokesperson said: “The proposal is for the site of the former storage compound to the south-east of the Stevenston Sewage Treatment Works.

“The council gave the opinion that no Environmental Impact Assessment would be required should an application be made.”