In his letter, Mr Hilton has also asked the council to instruct UBB not to proceed with a planning appeal.

BBC: An artists' impression of the proposed incinerator

The county council is committed to delivering an alternative to landfill and we understand that UBB is reviewing the best way forward.

BBC: Javelin Park - site of the proposed incinerator page

Most of the citations issued by MSHA to UBB in the last year were resolved on the same day they were issued.

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Gloucestershire County Council had already signed a 25-year contract with Urbaser Balfour Beatty (UBB) to build the energy-from-waste plant at Javelin Park, close to junction 12 of the M5.

BBC: An artists' impression of the proposed incinerator

The authority said its chosen method had been proposed by Urbaser Balfour Beatty (UBB), as the council did not have a preferred method, or technology, for the job.

BBC: Gloucestershire waste incinerator: For or against?

It also denies claims a penalty fee will be paid to UBB should planning permission fail, saying a cap is in place on expenses UBB can claim "but only if the planning process has been exhausted and UBB has done its best to get planning".

BBC: Gloucestershire waste incinerator: For or against?