ESSEX motorists could soon be filling up with green fuels at the pumps if plans for a new biodiesel plant are successful.

Sure Green Fuels and consultants Royal Haskoning have submitted plans to build an industrial-scale biodiesel and glycerine production plant at the Oikos storage site, in Haven Road, Canvey.

Biodiesel is made from vegetable oils and can be used in diesel engines. In the UK it is mostly combined with ordinary diesel and sold at the pumps. Elsewhere in Europe, greater production means motorists can fill up solely with biodiesel, which produces 78 per cent fewer carbon dioxide emissions than petrol.

If given the go-ahead by Castle Point councillors, the new plant will be the second biodiesel operation in south east Essex, reflecting the fuel's growing popularity.

The proposed building would produce around 150,000 tonnes of fuel per year to be sold to fuel companies and distributors.

A new building, up to 20 metres high, would be constructed in the centre of the depot and would be surrounded and obscured by the industrial tanks that currently occupy the riverside site.

Chris Taylor, project manager for Royal Haskoning, said: "People are aware of the environmental issues around climate change and the production of biodiesel in the UK is a key part of a national strategy in reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

"It will be industrial-scale, but in terms of UK sites, this site is not particularly large."

As well as obtaining planning permission, the company will also require a permit for prevention of pollution from the Environment Agency before production can start at the plant.

The application follows that of Canvey-based company Rainbow Fuels, which is hoping to start a much smaller-scale production at the Charfleets industrial estate by the end of May.

Directors Simon Lee and Colin Newman encountered a delay in the receipt of their prevention of pollution control permit, but are hoping to receive it later this month.