June 2025: We have now submitted a full planning application to SBC and hope to receive a decision from the Planning Committee by the end of the year.

October 2025: Archaeological Trial Trenching Works – 3rd to 14th November 2025
As part of our ongoing commitment to responsible development at Little Rose Lane, we will soon be undertaking archaeological trial trenching on the site. These works are designed to verify the presence and location of any below-ground archaeology identified during our earlier geophysical survey.

• 23 trenches will be carefully dug across the site.
• Topsoil will be removed, findings recorded, and trenches backfilled.
• All work will be carried out by qualified archaeologists in accordance with the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CiFA) standards and guidance.

The Proposals

Little Rose Lane Energy Park will be the UK’s first commercial-scale synthetic fuel facility – a bold step towards a fossil-free future.

Located north of Blunsdon and southwest of Cricklade, this site will combine solar energy with innovative carbon capture technology to produce clean, cost-effective fuels for industries that can’t otherwise be electrified.

The proposed development includes:

• Up to 15 Megawatts (MW) of solar power, generated on-site
• 11 synthetic fuel generators, powered entirely by renewable energy
• Clean fuel injection into the gas grid, replacing fossil-based gas

Following consultation, we have refined and finalised the proposed site layout. The final layout is set out below:

Benefits of the proposals

Little Rose Lane Energy Park will be the UK’s first commercial-scale synthetic fuel facility, pioneering the decarbonisation of heavy industries that can’t otherwise be electrified using a home-grown innovative new technology developed here in Swindon.

Once operational, Little Rose Lane will generate up to 3,630 MWh per year (enough energy to power a small-to-medium-size-factory) and displace 6,600 tonnes of CO2 per year, equivalent to planting 110,000 trees.

The proposals will also deliver a biodiversity net gain, including a 60% increase in habitats and a 10% uplift in hedgerow units, supported by new grassland planting and the installation of bat and bird boxes.

We will also deliver a Community Benefit Fund of up to £30,000 to support the local community and deliver social value for residents.

The project will provide annual business rates to SBC, supporting local services across the borough.

How do our systems work?

Decarbonising electricity is well underway, but many industries (such as aviation, shipping, steel, cement, and chemicals) still need energy-dense fuels or hydrocarbons to function. This is where Rivan’s synthetic fuel generators come in.

Our process combines three key technologies:

• Direct Air Capture (DAC): Extracting carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air using limestone cycling

• Electrolyser: Splitting water into hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂) via electrolysis

• Methanation Reactor: Synthesising CO₂ and H₂ into renewable methane (CH₄) — a direct replacement for fossil gas

The synthetic fuel we produce can be immediately integrated into the UK’s energy system and will help to cut carbon emissions from hard-to-abate sectors.

You can find out more about our approach in our whitepaper (https://rivan.com/the-case-for-synthetic-fuels/).

The documents will remain live during the pre-determination phase.

Technical Surveys

We have completed various technical assessments and surveys to establish the baseline parameters of the site, covering biodiversity, heritage, agricultural land, traffic and transport, flooding, and more. The following assessments, among others, have been submitted as part of our planning application:

• Agricultural Land Classification Report
• Arboricultural Impact Assessment
• Interim Ecology Summary (June 2025)
• Biodiversity Net Gain Report
• Flood Risk Assessment
• Heritage Assessment
• Landscape & Visual Impact Assessment
• Noise Impact Assessment
• Planning Statement
• Statement of Community Involvement
• Transport Statement
• Construction Traffic Management Plan

You can review the full suite of planning documents and provide comments by visiting SBC’s planning portal here (https://pa.swindon.gov.uk/publicaccess/) and searching using the application number S/25/0809.

Planning Policy

Our planning application will be determined by Swindon Borough Council as the Local Planning Authority (LPA) in accordance with the provisions of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990. This means that the Planning Committee of Swindon Borough Council will decide whether our proposals receive planning consent.

We are applying for temporary planning consent for 30 years, meaning once the project’s timeline has elapsed, all equipment will be removed from the site and the land returned to its current agricultural status.

Science & Innovation Park: Pilot Project

We’re testing and developing our cutting-edge technology at the Science & Innovation Park near Wroughton. This design facilitates accurate, system-specific monitoring and allows us to capture detailed performance data and is powered by an on-site 800kW solar array. This pilot project will enable us to learn lessons for the facility being developed at Little Rose Lane, and ensure the facility can operate as efficiently as possible.