The company aiming to produce renewable natural gas using innovative technology on a site north of Swindon which is surrounded by fields has addressed criticism.
Rivan Industries runs a test facility at Wroughton airfield and has submitted an application for permission to establish its gas plant in a farmer's field off Little Rose Lane, north of Blunsdon.
The proposal involves utilising a novel technology to generate gas by splitting molecules of both water and limestone and combining them, powered by electricity produced by an onsite solar farm.
In addition to the solar panels, the installation could comprise 22 shipping containers each 40 feet long, 11 water tanks, 11 gas storage domes standing 14-feet tall, and a car park for four vehicles, with the entire compound enclosed by a two-metre-high steel mesh fence.
The plans have received more than 60 responses from the public, local councillors, and the Council for the Protection of Rural England, with the majority opposing the proposals.
Common objections include concerns about traffic on small rural roads and lanes and the impact on a field in a rural setting.
However, Rivan Industries responded: "Our innovative Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) technology has the potential to revolutionise the decarbonisation of heavy industries that cannot otherwise be electrified, supporting the º£½ÇÊÓƵ in its transition to a net zero future, and placing Swindon at the forefront of the green industrial revolution."
The company has released a statement outlining the perceived benefits of the project.
The business said the project would create 20-25 jobs during the construction phase and 3-6 roles during operation, providing employment opportunities for local people.
It also said a Community Benefit Fund of up to £30,000 would be established to support initiatives important to the community, including for local projects, community groups and 'activities'.
Addressing specific concerns about traffic, the company said: "All construction traffic, including large vehicles, will use a designated access route from the A419 via Turnpike Road, avoiding the village centre and unsuitable local lanes.
"Once operational, the facility will generate very low traffic levels. For the first 6–12 months, 2–6 operatives will be on site on weekdays for testing and calibration. After this initial phase, the site will run largely autonomously, with maintenance visits reducing to approximately once per month. No significant impact on the local road network is expected during operation."
Regarding the site locations, the firm said: "We considered a range of potential sites across the region. While our pilot facility is on brownfield land, there are very few brownfield sites of sufficient size for a commercial-scale solar and synthetic fuel project."
Rivan said the site has been agreed with the landowner, and has a direct connection to the gas network and is low-grade agricultural land.
It added: "This facility is designed to operate for 30 years before being decommissioned and the land reinstated to farmland. It will not result in a permanent loss of land or change of use, and the restoration will be secured by planning condition."
A decision on the application is anticipated in late September.
