Controversial plans to burn waste from across the region at a site in Stewartby are going "back to the drawing board" according to Borough Hall bosses.

The Mayor of Bedford claimed tonight that the Covanta incinerator scheme could be shelved for over 14 months, after planning issues caused the firm to have to re-apply for the tender.

Mayor Dave Hodgson said: "The issue that Covanta now have sets the whole process back over 14 months.

"The wheels are now coming off the Covanta juggernaut and hopefully this means that they won't be coming through the villages of Bedfordshire."

If the scheme goes to tender this would open the project up to other companies who would compete with Covanta to bid for the waste disposal contact with Bucks County Council.

Councillor Charles Royden, deputy mayor and enivironment portfolio holder at Borough Hall said: "What this means is that Bucks County Council are now saying that Covanta will have to go back to the drawing board.

"We feel very pleased and relieved for the people of Bedford but also concerned that Covanta did not think as carefully about organising their carefully laid plans."

More to follow on this breaking news story