BUILDING work on an electricity-generating incinerator can now go ahead after the last legal hurdle was cleared.

Two Judicial Reviews brought against planning permission for the controversial plant, set to be built at Greatmoor near Aylesbury, were dismissed by a High Court judge earlier today.

Both challenges against Buckinghamshire County Council's decision to give the project planning permission failed, meaning the incinerator can now be built.

Mr Justice Lindblom ruled that one application for a Judicial Review had been made too late and was not properly arguable on any grounds, while another case was dismissed on its merits.

Neither party who asked for the review has asked the court for permission to appeal the decision.

The energy from waste plant will convert 300,000 tonnes of unrecyclable waste a year into enough energy to power up to 36,000 homes.

Steven Adams, the council's cabinet member for the environment, said: "I welcome this judgement. The Buckinghamshire Energy from Waste partnership between the county council and FCC Environment is an initiative that will save the tax payer more than £150million and create local jobs whilst protecting our beautiful landscape from further damaging landfill.

"I understand that the small number of objectors have strong feelings, but this is a project that has excellent aims and thorough processes that have been exceptionally well pursued and executed by a strong team.  Today's judgement supports that."

The contract between the County Council and FCC Environment was formally signed on April 17, paving the way for construction to start later this year.

Up to 300 temporary jobs will be created through the three-year construction phase, with 64 permanent jobs at the plant and 31 more in the supply chain.