The challenge, by campaign group Ardley Against Incineration, was dismissed in the hearing on Thursday 10 November by a Court of Appeal judge, enabling the construction of the plant to go ahead.

Environmental benefit

The Ardley EfW will treat at least 95 per cent of Oxfordshire's non-recyclable household waste, diverting it away from landfill, while generating enough electricity to supply more than 38,000 households.

Landfilling waste produces methane, which is a powerful greenhouse gas over 20 times more damaging than CO2. Continuing to landfill in Oxfordshire would also incur huge tax costs in the coming years as central Government puts pressure on councils to find alternatives. More about energy from waste.

Waste contract

Oxfordshire County Council has entered into a contract with Viridor Oxfordshire Limited for the construction of the Ardley EfW. Planning permission for the plant was recommended for approval by the government's planning inspector and was approved by the Secretary of State in February 2011.

Appeals

Ardley Against Incinerator applied to the High Court to have the Secretary of State's decision overturned. This application was firmly refused in July 2011 and permission to appeal was also refused in September 2011. Today's hearing was a last ditch attempt to gain permission to appeal.

Delays

Councillor Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, Oxfordshire County Council'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."

Councillor Keith Mitchell, the Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: "I welcome the judgement made at the Court of Appeal today and I am pleased with the result, however I strongly regret the amount of time and local taxpayers’ money which has been wasted by the actions of the campaign group, Ardley Against Incinerator, on what appears to have been a deliberate policy of delay despite clear indications that their appeal was always doomed to failure.”