AN electricity generating firm has been given permission to add an array of solar panels to a moorland windfarm.

Scottish Power Renewables can now site the equipment at their existing site above Burnley.

It will produce sufficient electricity to power 2,500 homes

Burnley Council's development control committee has granted planning permission for the scheme at the Coal Clough Windfarm off Long Causeway in Cliviger..

It approved a planning officer’s report recommending the go-ahead for the proposal subject to conditions and a developer cash contribution towards an alternative habitat for upland birds disturbed by the project.

It said: “In addition to the use of the site as a windfarm, the site which is very poor agricultural land, is also part of a working farm and the land is grazed by sheep and cattle.

“The site was first developed in 1992 as a windfarm with 24 turbines and was later re-powered into an eight turbine windfarm constructed in 2015.

“The proposal would feed electricity into the National Grid.

“The ground area has been reduced since the application was submitted to address ecology issues."