DOZENS of sites have been identified as possible locations for solar farms as the council looks to turn the town into a leading producer of renewable energy.

A call went out last year to landowners to nominate possible land which could house solar panels and 15 have come forward, with a further 15 sites selected within the town.

Possible sites include many of the town’s car parks, including those at the Great Western Hospital and the Orbital Retail Centre.

The proposed locations for the solar barriers on the A419 and M4 are also on the list.

At Tuesday’s planning committee meeting, an application is being put forward to introduce local development orders on these sites which will mean planning permission does not need to be sought by owners looking to put up solar farms.

If the application is successful then full consultations will be held on each site.

The council is also looking at other ways to increase the amount of renewable energy produced.

The application also includes introducing an LDO exempting petrol stations from needing planning permission to build hydrogen and electric car points as well as increasing the amount of panels allowed on the roofs of schools.

Coun Dale Heenan (Con, Covingham and Dorcan), the cabinet member for strategic planning, said: “Swindon has a clear ambition to encourage renewable energy, find new ways to exploit these technologies and, importantly, do it in a way that retains local community support.

“The council has had considerable success with supporting business to expand and grow by removing planning red tape, and we are applying the same thinking to renewables.

“Swindon will be the first in the UK to consider up front potential solar and renewable energy sites for their impact on the landscape, biodiversity, archaeology and land use.

“Other sites that will benefit include five town centre multi-storey car parks, the car parks of major supermarkets and retail parks, the Great Western Hospital and Gablecross Police HQ if canopy style solar is used, along with allowing schools and other non-domestic buildings to double the amount renewables currently allowed on their roofs by the Government.’’

The solar ambition within Swindon has received cross party support.

At last month’s council meeting, Coun Mark Dempsey (Lab, Walcot and Park North) proposed a motion to put solar panels on council homes, which was passed.

Speaking at the time, he said: “There is huge potential for Swindon.

“I believe this is not just about Swindon’s energy future but it’s also Swindon’s economic future too.”