Oil giant British Petroleum has staked-out its commitment to the development of a hydrogen revolution in the UK, with news that the multinational is to build a futuristic refuelling station to supply fuel cell cars.

The scheme has had to overcome concerted opposition from local groups in the Hornchurch area of Essex, and from environmental groups like Friends of the Earth who accused BP of "grandstanding", wasting money that could go to the more immediate development of other renewable energy sources.

The government is understood to regard the scheme as integral to ongoing trials to run fuel cell powered buses through the streets of London in a bid to reduce harmful emissions.

Despite having original plans to convert a BP Connect petrol site in Hornchurch turned down by the borough, the company's appeal was subsequently successful according to the Guardian.

"We have just been notified that we have won the appeal to build the site and we will be talking to local residents to make sure it causes minimum disturbance for them," said a BP spokeswoman.

Hornchurch was considered the only appropriate location for refuelling the three London fuel cell buses, manufactured by DaimlerChrysler, offering services from Ilford to Oxford Circus in the centre of London.

London mayor Ken Livingstone claims the buses are "the greenest, cleanest and quietest ever".