COMMENTING on the decision, Ray Theodoulou, GCC cabinet member for waste, said: “Today’s decision means the rubbish we can’t recycle can be disposed of in a safe and environmentally friendly way.

“Our aim is to reach 70 per cent recycling across the county and stop burying waste in the ground completely. As well as this new facility, Gloucestershire will also be using anaerobic digestion to treat food waste and recycling more. This all takes us a huge step closer.”

Cllr Theodoulou said the facility would make an important change in the way 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 £150 million over the next 25 years, he added.

Cllr Nigel Moor, chairman of planning committee, said: “The committee robustly defended its decision to an independent inspector at the public inquiry last year. However, we acknowledge today’s announcement.”

UBB will be reviewing the Secretary of State’s decision in full and construction will start as soon as possible.