A CONTROVERSIAL incinerator was at the heart of a debate on light pollution at a county council meeting yesterday.

Viridor’s £200 million incinerator became fully operational in Ardley, near Bicester, in October last year and has prompted several complaints about lights from the inside the plant polluting the darkness of the night sky.

Oxfordshire County Council planning and regulation committee chairwoman and county councillor for Ploughley Catherine Fulljames said she had been inundated with complaints from residents.

She said: “This incinerator has caused numerous issues and has given me nightmares.

“You may think I’m being petty but I’m not.

“I have so many people pursuing this building as an issue.

She added: “Please let’s get this right now.”

Members of the committee visited the Ardley site at night, many of whom agreed the light from the site was too bright.

But council planning officers said that Viridor was not contravening any planning regulations and required the lights on for health and safety reasons.