Around 26,000 homes in Gloucestershire will get their heating from landfill waste, after the government approved a £500 million energy waste centre in the county.

Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles approved the application for Javelin Park, which will divert around 92% of rubbish from 600,000 residents from landfill.

Waste managers Urbaser and building firm Balfour Beatty had previously been awarded the contract in February 2013, but it was rejected by the county council’s planning committee.

After an appeal against the rejection, Mr Pickles gave it the green light.

The Gloucestershire council reckons the centre will slash around 40,000 tonnes of CO2 and save residents £150 million over the next 25 years.