A decision on plans to build a controversial incinerator for rubbish from four south-west London boroughs will be made tonight.

Sutton Council's development control committee will make a ruling on plans to build an energy recovery facility (ERF) in Beddington Lane and looks set to give the scheme the go-ahead.

Campaigners against the incinerator are planning to stage a protest outside Sutton Library, where the meeting is being held, in a last ditch bid to sway the committee members' minds.

The proposed facility will burn non-recyclable waste from Sutton, Croydon, Kingston and Merton and convert it into energy and heat for nearby homes.

Sutton Council's planning officers have given the proposal, made by waste management firm Viridor, their backing and say emissions from the plant would be negligible while it would free up space for the existing landfill site to become a park and save money in landfill taxes.

But opponents of the plan, including members of campaign group Stop the Incinerator, say the plant will emit harmful dioxins which will be blown from the building's 95m chimney over Croydon by prevailing winds.

The campaigners say there is evidence that incinerators in other places have increased infant mortality rates.

The meeting will take place in Sutton Library's Europa Gallery, off St Nicholas Way, from 8pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Campaigners are planning to gather in the area from 7pm. 

For live updates from the meeting, follow @therealMikePyle on Twitter. The outcome of the meeting and reaction will be posted on this website this evening.