Cherwell District Council has joined the growing list of district councils prepared to back local anti-incinerator campaigners.

This is Oxfordshire reports:

Cherwell District Council has warned it is prepared to take the matter to the High Court if necessary, if County Hall gives the go ahead to the Ardley Fields site.

Cherwell rejected the proposal on the grounds that a mineral and waste development framework has not been finalised by either council.

It also raised concerns the large chimney stack needed for the incinerator would damage the character and appearance of the surrounding area and the proposal would have an adverse impact on the surrounding roads and environment.

The report explains how Oxfordshire County Council is due to consider two sites where developers wish to build incinerators in the county — one at Ardley Fields, near Bicester, and another in Sutton Courtney, near Abingdon. Campaigners are described as being “worried about pollution, the risk to health from emissions and the increase in traffic, especially lorries”.

Fred Blackwell, chairman of planning at the district council, said:

There are very strong planning reasons why the incinerator shouldn’t automatically be located in Ardley. While we cannot support the Ardley proposal, we are keen to work with our county colleagues to find solutions to waste disposal which are within our planning guidelines. We are prepared to use all policy available to prevent the incinerator from being built in Ardley.

Jonathan O’Neill, chairman of Ardley Against the Incinerator, said:

It’s absolutely fantastic news from Cherwell. It adds massive strength to our campaign. A judicial review is a very costly and powerful weapon, so for them to come out in that fashion it is great. I don’t think we expected such a unanimous voice.

Nick Mawer, chairman of Bicester Town Council’s planning committee, said:

I am delighted Cherwell District Council is taking such a strong stand against the planned incinerator at Ardley. In addition to the sound planning reasons for objecting to the proposed development, there are many other reasons why we should not be building an incinerator at Ardley.

He said the town council had grave concerns about the impact on the road network and health issues of the proposal.