Planning approval has been granted for Viridor’s proposed energy from waste facility at Beddington in South London.
It will treat waste for the four London boroughs of Croydon, Kingston upon Thames, Merton and Sutton.
London Mayor Boris Johnson had delegated the decision to Deputy Mayor for Planning Edward Lister.
Viridor head of planning Ian John said: “Today’s decision builds on the approval of the London Borough of Sutton and is another important step towards achieving planning permission and the delivery of the next generation infrastructure to South London.
“Working in tandem with waste reduction, reuse and enhanced recycling, Viridor’s Beddington ERF will play an important role in diverting waste from landfill, recovering renewable energy from what remains.
“Operating to the highest national and international standards, the facility will deliver real environmental, economic, social and community benefits.”
However, London Assembly Member Jenny Jones expressed her disappointment with the decision. She said: “The Mayor’s decision is an environmental disaster for South London and the recycling and composting industry.
“The Mayor has failed to observe his own planning and waste policies which state that incineration is the least desirable form of waste management.
“Instead he has put the interests of big business first, before legitimate environmental concerns and the interests of local residents that will be affected by his decision.”
