Energy from waste facility to go ahead as campaigners refused leave to appeal

A county council has welcomed a judge’s refusal to grant campaigners leave to appeal over planning permission for an energy from waste (EfW) facility.

A Court of Appeal judge turned down the application from Ardley Against Incineration last week.

The campaign group has been seeking to prevent the construction of an EfW facility that is expected to treat at least 95% of Oxfordshire’s non-recyclable household waste. The plant will also generate electricity to supply to more than 38,000 households.

Oxfordshire County Council had agreed a contract with Viridor Oxfordshire to build the facility. A planning inspector later recommended approval of planning permission for the plant. The Secretary of State gave his approval in February 2011.

Last week’s hearing was the last opportunity for the campaigners to challenge the project. The group’s application to the High Court was refused in July in 2011, with permission to appeal also refused in September.

Cllr Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, Oxfordshire's Cabinet member for Growth and Infrastructure, said: "It's excellent news that this situation is now resolved. We have experienced an eight-month delay which has resulted in significant costs to the council.

“We now anticipate that Viridor will progress swiftly with construction of the facility at Ardley, making the environmental and financial benefits it will bring to Oxfordshire a reality."

Cllr Keith Mitchell, Oxfordshire’s Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said he strongly regretted “the amount of time and local taxpayers’ money which has been wasted by the actions of the campaign group”.