The company behind a proposal to build a bio-fuel station for trucks and other vehicles in east Swindon has updated its submission to Swindon Borough Council.

CNG Fuels Ltd wants to build a fuelling station for trucks which would use bio-compressed natural gas, sometimes known as bio-methane, as the fuel it supplies.

That’s gas that has been produced by the decomposition of organic waste such as garden or food waste or farm waste; the remnant of crops left after harvest or animal manure, or sewage.

The plan is to build a station with 12 fuel pump islands alongside a plant compound on a triangle of land directly to the southeast of the Commonhead Roundabout, bounded by Purley Road and the slip road up to the A419 dual carriageway.

As well as tweaking the design of how it will look, it has also been confirmed the firm no longer needs to provide an assessment of the environmental impact of the development of the site.

The update proposal says: “Whilst the appearance of the Bio-CNG station is functional by design this is considered appropriate within the context of the site’s location on the edge of the countryside and in close proximity to the Swinton Urban Area and existing road infrastructure, notably the A419 immediately to the west.

“The proposals will make a direct contribution to meeting the environmental and energy objectives as contained within SBC’s Local Plan 2026.

“The Bio-CNG fuelling station will serve Bio-CNG adapted delivery vehicles that operate in the local area, alongside assisting other businesses in their transition to a low carbon future as they invest in modern, environmentally friendly biomethane powered vehicles.

"In turn that allows them to take advantage of the significant economic and environmental benefits that Bio-CNG offers. This includes up to a 40 per cent lifetime fuel cost saving, 50 per cent  quieter vehicles, and significantly reduced carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions when compared to diesel fuel.”

Recently the applicant asked planners at Swindon Borough Council whether they had to provide an assessment of the environmental impact of the development of the site, which is now vacant and was previously used as a compound for construction vehicles.

Despite the site being close to the North Wessex Downs National Landscape, the council’s planners decided the development did not need such an impact.

No decision has yet been made on the proposal – Swindon Borough Council’s website says the deadline for determination is early August this year.