REASONS behind the controversial move which will see Worcestershire County Council foot the bill for the appeal against the decision to refuse the Kidderminster incinerator will be investigated by a Stourport councillor today.

County councillor for Mitton and Health Concern leader John Gordon will ask officers at the council's executive committee how the authority "justifies" paying for the appeal, when councillors on its own planning committee voted to refuse Severn Waste Services' bid to build the Stourport Road burner.

Mr Gordon will ask the council's environmental services director Richard Wigginton how the authority justifies an indemnity which requires it to pay the planning appeal costs of the appellant, whether it wins or loses.

He said: "How can an indemnity for legal and professional costs in advance of a planning appeal be a wise use of public money in the public interest?"

Meanwhile, district councillors will tonight consider the grounds behind the appeal at a meeting of their planning (development control) committee.

Any comments will be forwarded to the national Planning Inspectorate ahead of the appeal, for which a date is yet to be set.