THE decision over whether an £100m waste Incinerator will be built on the outskirts of Bicester will be decided at a public inquiry.

The 10-day hearing will start on July 6, but a location has yet to be confirmed.

Last year Viridor was chosen as Oxfordshire County Council’s preferred bidder to provide an energy-from-waste plant in the county.

But its planning committee then went against the recommendation of officers in throwing out the Incinerator proposal at the planning stage.

Chairman of pressure group Ardley Against the Incinerator Jonathan O’Neill said the group had combined with Bucknell, Ardley and Middleton Stoney parish councils for the hearing.

The group will receive all documentation, will get to speak and will be involved in cross-examination of witnesses.

Oxford Friends of the Earth have been granted the same rights at the inquiry.

Mr O’Neill said: “It means everyone gets to see what’s going on.

“Viridor will have to prove the need and prove it’s safe and genuine.

“I understand people can turn up on the first day and register to speak.”

Viridor’s project manager Robert Ryan said the firm had appealed on the grounds the facility was an “essential need” in Oxfordshire to reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill.

Mr Ryan said: “Our proposals have been designed to provide a safe, cost-effective and much-needed solution to Oxfordshire’s residual waste treatment needs in line with the local, regional and national waste strategy and planning policies.”

The plant would burn up to 300,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste a year.