ENERGY company Viridor has appealed against Oxfordshire County Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for an incinerator at Ardley, near Bicester.

In October, county councillors refused to grant planning permission for an incinerator at Ardley or at Sutton Courtenay near Abingdon.

Viridor’s proposal at Ardley was the council’s preferred option, and this morning the company announced that it was appealing against the refusal.

A spokesman for the company said Viridor has submitted documents to the Government’s Planning Inspectorate, which will be reviewed and validated in the next few days.

Once validated, the Planning Inspectorate will confirm an appeal date for representations to be made by all parties, including residents who protested against the scheme.

Referring to the appeal, Robert Ryan, Viridor project manager, said, “We were very disappointed by the original planning decision.

“Our proposal has been designed to provide a safe and cost-effective solution to Oxfordshire’s residual waste treatment needs in line with the local, regional and national waste strategy and planning policies.

“Our site is already an established waste management site with good access to the road network.

“As Oxfordshire’s preferred bidder, we are keen to move forward in providing the county with a much needed first-class facility.

“We’ll continue engaging with the local community and other parties during the process and hope planning consent can be achieved soon.”

According to the company, Viridor’s proposed Energy from Waste facility has been designed to process up to 300,000 tonnes of residual, non-recyclable waste a year.

It will also create about 40 permanent jobs and over 200 during construction.

Following the county council’s decision, campaign group Ardley Against the Incinerator said it would fight any appeal.