THE firm behind plans to build a large waste incinerator have hit back at claims the waste burners are "potentially lethal".

Dr Dick Van Steenis, presented data at a public meeting in Ardley on Wednesday which he claimed demonstrated a link between incinerators and poor health, including heart attacks, cancers and infant mortality.

More than 80 people gathered at Bicester's Cooper School to listen to the claims of the former GP and House of Lords adviser.

However, Viridor has rubbished claims burning 300,000 tonnes of the county's waste will have any harmful effects on residents.

Spokesman Dan Cooke said: "The claim Energy from Waste (EfW) plants are potentially lethal and illegal is a discredited opinion held by a tiny but vocal minority, which has for years struggled to find any backing from the wider scientific community.

"Energy from Waste plants are today operating safely and efficiently across the UK, Europe and the rest of the world.

"Over the last ten years, detailed and reliable research studies, including those commissioned by the Government and Health Protection Agencies, have rejected the thesis that there are any significant health risks associated with EfW."

Ardley is one of two £100m incinerator schemes being considered by Oxfordshire County Council. The other is at Sutton Courtenay, near Abingdon.

  • A public meeting to discuss proposals for a £100m incinerator in Sutton Courtenay will be held on Monday.

The meeting will be held at Sutton Courtenay's All Saints Church at 7.30pm and will be followed by an extraordinary meeting of the parish council at 9pm.