The controversial Beddington incinerator is set be fully operational next month.

Construction of the £205 million energy recovery facility (ERF) started back in 2015.

Viridor was awarded the contract to run the facility in Beddington Lane which will process up to 275,000 tonnes of residual waste – things that can’t be recycled, reused or composted.

The waste will be incinerated and at the same time produce electricity that will power the facility as well as supply energy to the National Grid.

An update on the final stages of the development is set to be heard by the South London Waste Partnership (SLWP) next week. 

The plans faced opposition from residents concerned that the incinerator would increase pollution in the area.

Campaigners took the fight to the High Court resulting in a judicial review of the decision to approve it.

But it was unsuccessful and in June 2015 plans were fixed as Viridor’s proposal was free from legal challenges.

Now a report going to the SLWP states that the main building is “very near to completion” and that the plant has been independently checked and signed off.

In July the plant started to receive some waste and the first tests of using the turbine are set to take place in the coming weeks which will be followed by the generation of the plant’s first power.

The site will also include an education centre on the first floor with enough space to accommodate 25 visitors.

This is also set to open up this autumn and the report states it will help with “community engagement”.

But visits to the education centre will need to be pre-arranged with Viridor.

The paper adds: “The community liaison group has been meeting on a quarterly basis through the construction and commissioning phases of the ERF.

“Once operational, there is a contractual requirement for Viridor to continue to hold group meetings on an annual basis.

“Viridor have indicated that initially, their intention is to continue to hold these

meetings on a quarterly basis.”

The SLWP joint committee will meet at Merton Civic Centre on Tuesday (September 11) at 6.30pm.