The initiative is committed to recycling, reusing and repurposing landfill sites to create sustainable energy and heat. This, in turn, enables year-round fruit and vegetable production.

This is a new twist on the very old idea of a midden & is literally a case of back to the future.  (A midden is basically a pile or heap of waste materials, often organic such as animal dung, food scraps, or other household rubbish.)  Middens would be piled outside homes.  The waste decomposed, providing heat, material to burn and composted biomass.

Sustain Wiltshire aims to place pressured growing domes on the surface of sealed landfill sites.  (These domes will be three times the size of a standard tennis court, and twice the height of a London double decker bus.)

Methan gas – which is currently burnt off – will be used to generate electricity and heat.  Modern technology will ensure that a perfect growing temperature will be maintained all year round.  Low-impact ultraviolet horticultural lights will also extend the growing season.

Growing methods would include hydroponics – a method of growing plants without soil, using nutrient-rich water to deliver essential minerals directly to the roots – raised growing beds and plant containers

It’s predicted that each growing dome will produce 8,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables each year.  (In addition, 130 new jobs will be created, and the release of 3,800 tonnes of CO2 each year will be prevented.)

And it’s believed that this initiative will provide 80% of all fruit and vegetable requirements for the local communities of Wootton Bassett, Brinkworth, Malmesbury and Purton.

It’s believed that this form of localism – which includes a distribution hub & daily delivery service – will mean that the fruit and vegetables will be cheaper than those available from supermarkets.  In time, it’s hoped that deliveries could also include dairy products and meat from local farmers.