IF a controversial incinerator was built at Ardley it would take waste from other counties, it has been confirmed.

In revised plans, operator Viridor has admitted the incinerator, which would burn 300,000 tonnes of waste a year, would not be restricted to servicing just Oxfordshire’s needs.

The new document is due to be discussed by Cherwell District Council’s planning committee tonight.

The committee can only make comments as Oxfordshire County Council will decide, in July, if the Ardley Fields site gets the green light.

Included in the revised proposal is plans for bridleway diversions and improvements, restrictions on times of deliveries of waste, flood-risk assessment, information on air quality, noise impact and ecological issues.

The plans also give more traffic information and include an offer of £15,000 towards a pedestrian crossing in Ardley.

That offer has been criticised by local campaign group Ardley Against the Incinerator, AAI, who oppose the £100m plan on grounds of traffic, health and pollution.

Jonathan O’Neill, of AAI, said there were only eight houses and a pub on one side of the road and a crossing was not needed.

With regard to Viridor taking waste from outside the county, Mr O'Neill said: “This is something AAI had guessed from the very start. At least they have admitted it — it has taken nearly seven months.

“Why wouldn’t other councils use it when they are offering it as a cheaper solution to get rid of waste.?”

In January district councillors rejected the plan on the grounds it would be contrary to the local plan, that the chimney stack would be an eyesore and that there were concerns over the effect on local bridleways, traffic and air quality.

The recommendation is that previous objections to the county council still stand.

Robert Ryan, project manager, said: “We have developed the proposals to serve Oxfordshire’s waste treatment needs.

“There is, however, wide consensus in the UK that landfill diversion is a priority and that treatment capacity is limited at present.

“We have not ruled out bringing in residual waste from neighbouring areas to the proposed facility as it is too early to do so.”