PLANS to install solar panels as part of a "significant investment" at National Air Traffic Services (NATS) in Prestwick have been given the green light.

NATS is the largest air traffic control provider in the UK, working at 15 airports and managing all UK upper airspace from their two centres in Prestwick and Swanwick.

Earlier proposals to install 2,200 solar panels at the site on Fresson Avenue were approved in December last year, but were judged to be no longer viable for the company.

New plans were lodged earlier this summer with South Ayrshire Council for alterations to the ground mounted solar panels element of that application.

The company has confirmed its plans to continue with its roof mounted panels, with an overall total of 2,200 panels to be installed.

Planning documents show that the solar panels will be positioned at a 30 degree pitch to maximise the required sunlight exposure needed to generate the maximum electrical output from the panels.

The proposed ground mount array will contribute to the site wide generation of 1,216 kWp, up to 21 per cent of the electricity requirements for operations at the NATS Prestwick site.

Documents revealed: "The development proposals will positively contribute to reducing NATS reliance on the national grid and increase the production of localised renewable energy.

"The proposals will improve the overall sustainability of the NATS site in Prestwick through the long-term investment in this area of South Ayrshire. 

"The proposals represent a significant economic investment by a significant local employer and will positively contribute to the overall sustainability of the site.

"This represents NATS continual commitment to future investment in the South Ayrshire area and overall ambition to reduce their reliance on the national grid at the Prestwick site."

Approving the application, council planners said the panels will not have an "adverse impact" on nearby residential properties or Prestwick Airport.

The documents added: “The supporting information accompanying the planning application has demonstrated that the solar panels, by virtue of their careful siting to an appropriate location with the NATS campus, will not have an adverse impact on the amenity of the closest residential properties to the site or other land uses, including the operational activities of Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

"The siting and design of the solar panels also ensure that they will not detract from the overall character and amenity of the industrial environment to which they relate.

"Finally, weight in the overall assessment is also given to the fact no objections to the proposal have been received from consultees and no representations have been received from any interested parties to the planning application."

The solar panel development follows on from a proposal approved in the past few months for a new staff support building at the site.

NATS have been located at Prestwick Airport since the 1970s, when they moved into Atlantic House.

The Prestwick Centre was then constructed in 2009 and NATS now delivers key air traffic control services from this building.

Planning documents stated that Atlantic House is now underused, and is set to be demolished. NATS plans to create a new building in its place for staff.