A waste plan that would allow an incinerator to be built next to Croydon, has been approved by the council.

The South London Waste Plan sets out plans for rubbish disposal for Croydon, Sutton, Merton and Kingston councils.

At a full council meeting on Monday night, Conservative Councillor Jason Perry said the plan gave guidance for any future waste facility in the borough.

But Labour Councillor Paul Smith said the plan provided a green light for an incinerator in Beddington, on the border of Waddon.

He said: “You may call it an energy recovery facility but it will do so by incinerating.

“There is no point in using semantics.

“Of course how the borough reduces waste going to land fill and reduces the cost to the environment and council is something all members have an interest in.

“The issue is thousands of people do not want to see an incinerator built on the border of Sutton and Croydon.”

Council Leader Mike Fisher said he wanted an end to “scaremongering” over the issue.

He said Labour MP Malcolm Wicks had approved a similar scheme in Kent when he was Energy Minister.

The Shirley ward member added: “What this plan does is safe guard sites in this borough so we can control where different treatments for waste take place.”

He accused the Labour opposition of putting votes before the environment.

Earlier in the meeting, Councillor Phil Thomas - cabinet member for environment and highways - faced a series of questions during public question time.

He was repeatedly asked about the health implications of an incinerator near a residential area.

The Welshman said an environmental impactment assessment would be carried out by contractors Viridor as well as consultation from the Environment Agency.

He added the type of facility proposed was used widely across Europe and if it was “good enough for Europe, it is good enough for Croydon”.