THE incinerator decision has been delayed by a further three weeks.

Secretary of State Eric Pickles has notified Gloucestershire County Council that he will not be able to make a decision on the Javelin Park appeal by the end of November as was previously agreed.

In order to allow everyone involved the time to deal with new planning policy and new planning practice guidance the decision has been pushed back from its original November 30 deadline to Monday, December 22.

Cllr Ray Theodoulou, cabinet member for finance and change, said: “We are clearly frustrated by this further three-week delay, however, we appreciate the Secretary of State is keen to make the right decision on such an important issue.

“If approved, the facility will make an important change in the way that Gloucestershire deals with the household waste of its 600,000 residents, diverting over 92 per cent of our waste from landfill.

"It will make a significant impact on tackling climate change by removing 40,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide and save local people more than £150million over the next 25 years.”