County councillors voted today to refuse planning permission for an incinerator near Bicester.

Viridor’s application for the incinerator, which would be able to burn up to 300,000 tonnes of waste a year, at Ardley was rejected by nine votes to five.

Ploughley county councillor Catherine Fulljames, who did not to take part in the vote after declaring an interest, said: “I would have voted against the incinerator because it would have been an eyesore and traffic in the surrounding area would have increased significantly.”

John O’Neill, chairman of Ardley Against the Incinerator, thanked councillors who voted against giving planning permission.

He said: “It was good to see councillors making their own decisions and not being whipped along party political lines.

“There may be a chance for Viridor to appeal against his decision and we will be ready to fight an appeal if one is made.”

This afternoon county councillors are expected to decide whether to grant planning permission for an incinerator at Sutton Courtenay near Abingdon.