A waste firm pulled plans to build an eco-power plant near Sutton Courtenay hours before councillors were due to rule on the project.

Waste Recycling Group (WRG) withdrew its plans for an anaerobic digester off Appleford Road on Wednesday.

Vale of White Horse District Council’s planning committee was to make a decision later that day as planning officers had recommended the plans be refused, claiming the building was not necessary.

And the firm last night said it would change the bid and resubmit it at a later date.

The facility would use maize to power operations on the site.

WRG spokesman Michael Bennett said: “It is our intention to further develop our plans for the anaerobic digestion facility, before submitting a fresh planning application.

“As part of that process we will continue to consult widely with the local community, Oxfordshire County Council and relevant parish councils.”

The new plans for the site came after the firm’s bid to build a £20m mechanical biological treatment plant on the site was blocked by Oxfordshire County Council in September last year.

Sutton Courtenay Parish Council objected to the latest plans. Chairman Michael Jenkins said he expected the village would soon see another planning application.

He said: “People in Sutton Courtenay have lived as neighbours of WRG for many years so it is a fairly regular occurrence that there is an application on the site and each one has to be considered on its merits.”