Preliminary plans have been put forward to develop a solar farm at the GSK site in Ulverston.

Ulverston Town Councillor Judith Pickthall has put the plans forward for an “appropriate section” of the site on North Lonsdale Road in a bid to generate clean energy and help meet tough climate change targets.

Coun Pickthall said the proposal was part of a wider plan to develop the site, which had been earmarked for a new £350 million biopharmaceutical facility until the plug was pulled almost two years ago.

“We’re looking for ways to encourage and create use for the site at GSK,” she said.

“We need to investigate the development of a solar farm and its own sustainability.

“In the end it can provide an income for the council."

The proposal ties into Ulverston's plans to reduce its carbon footprint and become a greener town.

Mrs Pickthall said: “Our ultimate aim is to produce fossil free fuel and become an eco-friendly town. 

"We should begin to think how this could be developed to benefit the town as a whole.

“We’re missing out on an opportunity if we don’t look more deeply into this.”

While Coun James Airey expressed concerns around liabilities should anything go wrong with the development, councillors recommended that the South Lake District Council worked with GSK to research the potential of a solar farm and storage facility.

The facility could be part of the new-look for the huge industrial site to the south of the town.

A taskforce made up of senior figures at GSK, politicians and economic business experts are investigating potential uses for the site, which broadly revolve around a mixed housing and business development.