Campaigners fighting to prevent construction of an incinerator are planning more direct action after handcuffing themselves to council chamber railings at a meeting last night.

In a show of defiance against the secretive plans for a new waste facility site, believed to be in destined for Beddington Lane, Leader of Croydon Green party Shasha Khan and Waddon resident Dave Pettener refused to leave a Croydon Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee when it went into private session on Monday December 6.

When councillors moved to a new chamber to continue the meeting in private the pair, supported by four other protestors, continued to face off against council officers for a hour before leaving the Town Hall.

Mr Khan said the group Stop the Incinerator, would be considering using such tactics again at meeting held in neighbouring councils Merton, Sutton and Kingston, who are part of the South London Waste Partnership considering the waste facility site.

He said: “The key is the symbolism. We wanted to get across to the councillors we are serious and these are the extreme measures we have to take to get your attention.

“Direct action is a tool we must use to achieve a fair and jut and sustainable society.””

At the opening of the meeting, a 5.30pm, Councillor Sean Fitzsimons proposed elements of the plan such as council policy on waste removal be discussed in public before financial aspects went into private.

But his call was rejected by chairman Councillor Steve Hollands, who argued legal advice from his officers was all should be heard in private due to the commercial sensitivity of the plans.

Mr Pettener, of Duppas Avenune, Waddon, said: "This is my life we are talking about.

"I live down wind of this incinerator. Does no one care?"

The Stop the Incinerator campaigners will meet on Saturday at The Green Dragon to discuss further action, but plan to attend meetings in Merton and Sutton.