Amazon will have to provide an environmental impact assessment if it lodges an application to put up a huge wind turbine just off the A420 at Gablecross.

The internet commerce giant says it wants the 500ft tall wind turbine to power operations at its massive warehouse which opened at Laines Way in 2021.

The company’s application said: “Amazon has made significant progress toward powering their operations with 100 per cent renewable energy and are on track to meet this goal by 2025, five years ahead of plan.

Amazon told planners that it was unable to put solar panels on its roof at the site in Swindon despite having wanted to and ad also been granted planning permission: ”Amazon is now seeking other renewable energy generation methods such as the installation of a single wind turbine.”

Planners at Swindon Borough Council said the plan has a potentially significant impact on the local environment and wildlife and have told the company that a full impact assessment would need to be included in any formal application for permission for the scheme.