Nexus Planning has successfully secured planning permission from Medway Council in the UK on behalf of Syntech Biofuel for the expansion of its sustainable energy operations at Kingsnorth Industrial Estate, Rochester.
The approved development will deliver a new 1,600 sq m production building and associated infrastructure to support the manufacturing of Syntech’s advanced smart biofuel - a low-carbon alternative to conventional diesel made from waste cooking oil.
The 1.05-hectare site of previously developed land will also include new processing tanks, electric generators, landscaping, and biodiversity enhancements.
Designed by Out the Box Architecture, the facility will allow Syntech Biofuel to increase production capacity and expand its research and development capability at Kingsnorth, supporting up to 20 skilled local jobs. The facility will convert used cooking oil into refined biofuel for commercial use, providing tangible carbon-reduction benefits to the transport and logistics sectors.
Andy Somerville, director at Nexus Planning, commented: “We’re delighted to have secured planning permission for this forward-thinking development, which reflects the growing importance of renewable fuel technologies to the UK’s low-carbon economy.
“The project will revitalise an under-used industrial site while supporting green jobs and sustainable innovation in Medway. We worked closely with Syntech Biofuel, Medway Council and the wider technical team to ensure that the scheme delivers environmental, economic and operational benefits in line with local policy and the National Planning Policy Framework.”
The consented scheme features strong sustainability credentials, including air-source heat pumps, solar panels, energy-efficient building design and green walls, alongside a 93% biodiversity net gain across the site. Flood-resilient construction and surface-water management measures were integrated following detailed consultation with the Council’s Lead Local Flood Authority.
This facility reinforces Kingsnorth Industrial Estate’s role as a strategic employment location for Medway and forms part of Syntech Biofuel’s wider ambition to expand production of advanced renewable fuels in the UK.
