The Ministry of Defence is hoping to build a new solar farm in South Cambridgeshire to help power the Bassingbourn Barracks.

A report submitted to South Cambridgeshire District Council sets out the plans by the MoD to install ground level solar panels at the barracks.

It said the solar panels will have a "positive environmental impact" and help improve its energy resilience.

Bassingbourn Barracks, based to the north of Bassingbourn, is an active training ground for infantry. The site includes the military base, as well as homes, and a sports centre.

The barracks was previously a military airfield, but the runway is now disused. However, the MoD said it remains in use for "operational defence purposes".

An Environment Impact Assessment Screening Opinion report has been submitted to the district council by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), which is part of the MoD.

The report said the scheme at Bassingbourn Barracks would be part of a wider initiative to install more solar panels at MoD sites.

It said: "The Ministry of Defence owns a diverse estate, including naval bases, barracks, airfields and other defence facilities.

"DIO as part of the MoD, plays a vital role in supporting defence and is responsible for all acquisition, disposal, and allocation of assets in the UK and abroad.

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"The MoD has identified a need to deliver photovoltaic (PV) arrays at scale across the Army estate.

"The scheme intends to make a significant positive environmental impact, contribute to the reduction of imported energy consumption and provide energy resilience."

The MoD is proposing to install the ground based solar panels across 4.5hectares of land in an eastern part of the site.

It said the scheme would generate enough power to cover 35 per cent of the annual energy consumption for the barracks.

The report said the solar panels will be designed to last around 25 to 35 years, and that each solar module would be one-metre wide and two-metres tall.

It added that it was not believed that the development would have "significant environmental effects" on the area.