SCOTTISH Borders Council (SBC) is looking to ensure the fire-damaged Peebles swimming pool has a greener future with the installation of solar panels.

The popular Port Brae facility has been closed since July last year after a bin blaze spread to the roof.

It caused damage to the structure but extinguishing the fire meant there was “significant water penetration” to the plant room and ceilings within the main pool hall.

This week, SBC has unveiled plans to install a photovoltaic (PV) array – multiple solar panels electrically wired together to form a much larger system – on the roof.

A council spokesperson said: “The fire caused significant damage to the roof of this building and as part of this repair SBC wishes to take advantage of this closure and roof works to install a photovoltaic (PV) array.

“Sited within the town’s conservation area and with views of the roof while crossing the River Tweed it is critical that minimal visual disruption is created by these panels.

“Due to the current condition of the roof an opportunity is present to build these panels flush with the roof using an ‘In Roof’ system.

“It is proposed that these panels are located solely on the southern roof face to maximise solar gain.

“This project will be in line with the recent SBC Estates Energy Review Strategy where several buildings are being assessed to retrofit PV panels.

“As noted we will be taking the opportunity to incorporate these panels rather than retrofit them at a later date; this will ultimately allow the roof to appear cohesive removing the thicker visual appearance of a traditional PV rail system.”

In a report presented to SBC members in January, John Curry, the council’s director for infrastructure and environment, revealed that the pool is scheduled to finally reopen at the end of April.

It has remained shut for a lengthy stretch to carry out “essential repairs”.

Specialists were called in to remove debris from the surrounding site as the roof tiles “were known to be an asbestos-containing material”.

It was agreed that all roof and ceiling tiles containing asbestos would be removed as part of the repairs.

Work on the site began on January 9.