The fate of a proposed controversial incinerator and waste plant is set to be decided next week.

The 23m chimney incinerator proposed for a site next to a nature reserve in Beddington Lane would burn 30,000 tonnes of wood and other waste a year.

Its proposed construction have raised concern among residents regarding potentially damaging emissions it could release, impacting on air quality and residents' health.

Environmentalists also fear it could affect neighbouring Beddington Farmlands, that hopes to become London's biggest nature reserve.

Sutton Council's planning applications committee will decide whether to approve the plans next week It is understood planning officers have recommended they are approved by councillors.

Bob Steel, a Sutton Green Party spokesman, said: "There have been statistics to suggest there are harmful emissions from incinerators."

"London has a serious problem with its air quality and the burning of waste will be in part to blame for this."

Peter Alfrey of Beddington Farm Bird Group said Beddington Farmlands was a home to many species that nested close to the site.

He said: "No doubt the building of the incinerator will affect this habitat considerably."

But Bioflame, the organisation submitting the planning application, said there were no environmental problems associated with the incinerator.

He said: "The local population have got absolutely nothing to worry about. Residents of other places we have put incinerators have been concerned but now have no problem with them whatsoever.

Any talk of them causing harm are scaremongering."

He added the site was close to other waste management facilities so a natural location for the facility.

Bioflame has already passed the application to the Planning Inspectorate, meaning it will have the final say on the application.

However it is understood it approved by Sutton it is unlikely to challenge the decision.

Controversy already also surrounds the suggested creation of a further incinerator to burn rubbish produced by Sutton Croydon, Kingston and Merton, and campaigners fear eventually both incinerators could be housed in the same spot.

Anyone wanting to speak about the applciation should ask at the planning meeting at the Sutton Civic centre on Wednesday, April 13, up to 15 minutes before the 7pm start time.