Cherwell District Council has objected to a proposal from Oxfordshire County Council to build a waste incinerator in Ardley and warns it will take the fight against the plans to the highest authority if necessary.

The proposal to build an 'energy from waste facility' (EFW), which generates heat by burning waste material, will now go before Oxfordshire County Council. But Cherwell District Council will recommend the final decision is referred to the Secretary of State if county planners give the site the go-ahead.

As statutory consultees Cherwell District Council objected to Oxfordshire County Council's proposal on the grounds that no framework exists which allows potential sites to be compared on a like-for-like basis. The Mineral and Waste Development Framework has not been finalised by Oxfordshire County. Cherwell District Council believes decisions should not be made until this framework is in place, or at least until a comprehensive analysis is undertaken of all possible alternative sites is undertaken."

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Cherwell's planning committee also felt the construction of a large industrial building with a prominent chimney stack would damage the character and appearance of the surrounding area.

The committee will also request that Oxfordshire County Council rigorously examines the impact the proposed development would have on the surrounding roads, with particular attention paid to the capacity of the roads and any increased impact the development would have on the environment.

Oxfordshire County Council invited bids from potential suppliers to build and operate EFWs in the county. A proposal to build a similar incinerator near Didcot was objected to by Vale of White Horse District Council in October 2008. Oxfordshire County Council will make its decision on its preferred options for waste incinerators later in 2009.

(CD/JM)