New bid for waste burner submitted (From thisisoxfordshire)

New bid for waste burner submitted

7:17pm Thursday 8th April 2010 in News By Sam McGregor

Ian Corkin

WASTE firm Viridor has submitted a revised planning application for its £100m Incinerator just outside Bicester.

The company has already appealed a decision to reject a planning application for the facility, and a public inquiry is due to be held this summer.

In the new application, no changes have been made to the proposed capacity and size of the facility at Ardley, but the company said it had looked at the ways heat and power from the site could be used and had revised landfill aspects.

The original plan was thrown out by Oxfordshire County Council’s planning committee because it was contrary to the local plan.

Last night the move was condemned by campaigners who accused the firm of using a “corporate bullying tactic”.

Ian Corkin, of Ardley with Fewcott Parish Council, said: “It means that in addition to dealing with the inquiry we also have to co-ordinate a response to the new application.

“It’s an intolerable position because I suspect that far from trying to address local concerns, it’s simply a corporate bullying tactic to try and force the decision they want.”

He vowed villagers would fight the second application.

Jonathan O’Neill, of Ardley Against the Incinerator, said: “The question is does Oxfordshire need it or does Viridor want it? This is another application that isn’t dramatically different from the first.”

Last year Viridor was chosen as Oxfordshire County Council’s preferred bidder to provide an energy-from-waste plant in the county.

Viridor appealed the planning committe’s decision, forcing a public inquiry, which is due to start on July 6.

Viridor’s project manager Robert Ryan said: “We are making it clearer how urgent the need is for a residual waste treatment facility for Oxfordshire, very much in line with national, regional and local waste strategies and planning policies.

“While recycling levels across the county are among the best in England, there is a clear need to recover value from residual waste instead of simply putting it in the ground.

“With landfill tax rising to £48 per tonne this month and further increases expected over the next few years – £80 per tonne by 2014 – a safe and proven alternative to landfill must be put in place.”

He added recently published information by the Health Protection Agency would reassure residents.

If it is given the go-ahead, the plant will burn up to 300,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste a year and will produce enough electricity to power 60 per cent of homes across Cherwell district.

Oxfordshire County Council will now process the application. It is likely to be decided by the same planning committee that turned down the original application.

Further details on the application are available at viridor-consultation.co.uk