​A landfill site in Wiltshire could soon become home to a pioneering greenhouse project that uses cleaned carbon dioxide from waste processing to grow fruit and vegetables all year round.

Crapper & Sons Ltd, which operates the landfill near Royal Wootton Bassett, has submitted plans to repurpose part of the site for a development called the Super Midden. If approved, the project would be the first of its kind in the world, combining waste management, energy generation and food production in a single location.

The site already captures methane from decomposing waste to generate electricity for its own operations and the national grid. The process also produces carbon dioxide, which is cleaned and proposed for use in a series of greenhouses to enhance crop growth. The greenhouses would be heated and powered by energy generated on site, creating a closed-loop system designed to improve sustainability and reduce emissions.

The project is being developed through Sustain Wiltshire, a community interest company launched by Crapper & Sons. Greenhouses would be built on top of specially designed waste pits, known as cells, which accelerate gas production. Once a cell is emptied and cleaned, the portable greenhouses could be relocated to a new section of the site.

Crops would be grown without direct contact with the soil, allowing for clean, controlled conditions. Produce such as tomatoes, leafy greens, and even avocados could be supplied to nearby towns and villages, including Malmesbury and Brinkworth.

It is estimated the site could supply up to 80% of the fruit and vegetable needs of the local area, helping to reduce food miles and enhance food security.

Subject to planning approval, the project would also see the site landscaped with new grassland and trees, further supporting environmental goals.