COUNCILLORS who gave the go-ahead to allow the development of a waste incinerator in the county were subjected to an atmosphere of "intimidation and threat" at County Hall, it has been claimed.

Former county councillor Nigel Knowles said "legal people" at Worcestershire County Council had made it clear that members were not allowed to say a "single word about this contract" outside of council proceedings.

His comments came as he was cross-examined by Neil King QC for Severn Waste Services over his opposition to the siting of the burner at the British Sugar site.

Mr King pointed out Mr Knowles had approved the construction of a plant. "You were aware the British Sugar site had been identified as the appellant's preferred site," he told Mr Knowles, but this was denied. And Mr Knowles refused, in response to Mr King, to suggest another suitable location.

Mr Knowles, who chaired the Wyre Forest District Council planning meeting which threw out the application by Severn Waste Services, said in his statement to the inquiry: "There was no democracy in the decision to choose Foley Park.

"A contract was signed by Worcestershire County Council which I voted for. It was no site-specific and the PFI deal precluded detailed argument about the terms and conditions of the document.

"I kept an open mind throughout the years of the incinerator proposal going through the process of getting to the planning meeting."

He attacked the county council for not initiating recycling throughout the county previously, describing its policy making as "appalling."

He added: "The method for choosing a site for the incinerator was flawed and unduly related to site availability, a financial deal and the fact that the dice seemed loaded from the start."