Plans to build a controversial incinerator for the area's rubbish came a step closer to fruition after planning experts gave it their seal of approval.

Sutton Council's planning officers have backed plans to build an energy recovery facility in Beddington Lane and will recommend that councillors on the development control committee give the project the go-ahead next week.

South London Waste Partnership, made up of Sutton, Croydon, Merton and Kingston Councils, has contracted waste management company Viridor to dispose of its rubbish.

Viridor wants to do this by building the ERF, which would convert non-recyclable waste into heat and electricity, on part of the Beddington Lane landfill site.

Councillors on the development control committee will decide whether the plans should be given the green light at a meeting next week and will take the officers' recommendation into consideration when doing so.

Officers have looked at the plans and worked with experts to see whether they should be permitted.

They say there are no grounds in terms of emissions or traffic considerations to turn the application down.

A council spokesman said: "Council officers have set out a report on Viridor’s planning application for an energy recovery facility in Beddington and this includes non-binding recommendations. 

"The report can be viewed on our website.  It looks at planning policy and other issues such as air quality, traffic, environmental issues such as impact on wildlife, and visual impact.

“This report is based on a comprehensive fact checking process and consultation with public organisations, like the Environment Agency.  It is now for councillors to make a decision on how to approach the application within the boundaries of planning law.  The public are welcome to attend the meeting on 24th April.”

Opponents of the scheme, including members of campaign group Stop the Incinerator, have raised concerns about the emissions from the incinerator and say they do not believe Viridor's claims that it will raise air pollutions levels by less than one per cent.

If planning permission is granted, the plant could be operational by 2017. When it is active the Beddington Lane landfill site will be decommissioned and converted into a nature park.

The ERF will take up three acres of the current 93 acres occupied by the landfill site.

The proposed site is classed at 'metropolitan open land' meaning anyone who builds on it must provide exceptional mitigation. To this end, Viridor has pledged to provide wildlife habitats, an education centre and a warden for the park, which will become part of the Wandle Valley Regional Park.

Council planning officers say they are satisfied with the proposed measures.

Sutton Council's development control committee will decide on the application in a meeting from 8pm on Wednesday, April 24, in the Europa Gallery at Sutton Library in St Nicholas Way. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

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