DULLER materials have been approved for a £100million incinerator which is being constructed after a lengthy battle with residents.

Waste management company Viridor is building a plant at Ardley landfill site, branded a “monster” by residents, which will take 300,000 tonnes of waste a year once complete.

Planning permission for the plant was granted by the Secretary of State on appeal in 2011.

At a meeting of Oxfordshire County Council’s planning and regulation committee on Monday, councillors approv-ed materials with a duller finish instead of shiny material.

Peter Maggs, representing Middleton Stoney Parish Council, told councillors: “From the size of the building being constructed, this is going to be a very significant industrial plant in the middle of a countryside, rural area.

“This is going to look like an aircraft carrier in the middle of green space.

“They give the impression it will be dissolved into the landscape. It will not.

“We will ask that some significant landscaping is made around the building.”

The landfill site is to the east of the B430 between the villages of Ardley and Middleton Stoney.

Councillors approved materials with a weathered, duller finish at the meeting, rejecting more shiny materials.

Translucent green and yellow tiles were also approved.

County councillor Catherine Fulljames said: “The area that I represent has not wanted this monster from the very beginning. The local people are going to have to look at this for 35 years.

“This translucent material will be 35 metres high. This is a very, very prominent building. It is quite technicoloured.

“We have got to get this right. These people are having to look out of their reception rooms and see this building.

“I would appeal to you to please make sure these materials are right.”

Viridor spokeswoman Victoria Jones said: “A comprehensive landscape and visual impact assessment was carried out as part of the original planning application, which was approved.

“We have engaged with the local community from the outset, and following the feedback we received from local representatives about the external materials to be used in the construction of the facility, we explored alternatives.

“Once agreed locally, we submitted an amended application to the council.

“We welcome the planning committee’s unanimous decision to approve the revised materials and remain committed to engaging with the local community as construction continues.”