COUNCILLORS have delayed making a decision on whether to back putting an incinerator in north Buckinghamshire.

Buckinghamshire County Council chiefs will instead support one of two sites in September.

Wapseys Wood, Beaconsfield was mooted as possible site by the council last year but dropped after a public outcry. The council said it was thrown out over its assessment criteria.

Springfield Farm in Broad Lane, Beaconsfield, was down as a reserve site.

Now the plan is for a new incinerator from Waste Recycling Group at Calvert landfill site, Buckingham, or by Covanta Energy at Stewartby, Bedfordshire.

Both would need planning permission.

A council statement said: “The preferred bidder decision about the county council’s Energy from Waste project has been deferred until September this year. “It was due to be heard by Cabinet on 13 July. The extra time is needed to finalise the council’s legal, financial and technical appraisals and checks.”

Councillor Martin Tett, cabinet member planning and environment, said today: “The delay is necessary because we want to ensure that the council achieves good value for money for its residents. “We still have two strong bidders for the contract, Covanta Energy and WRG.”

Cllr Tett said in May that “there is currently no proposal the county has for a household incinerator in south Buckinghamshire”.

And he said advice to the council showed a “negligible health risk”.