UPDATE: Judicial Review Granted for Viridors 26 MW Beddington Waste to Energy Plant in London

Campaigners battling to stop waste and recycling firm Viridor from building a26 MW waste to energy facility in Beddington Lane, South London, have been granted permission by a High Court Judge to take the case to judicial review. According to the Stop the Incinerator group, Croydon resident Shasha Khan (above) won permission to proceed with a judicial review of Sutton Council’s decision to allow the 300,000 tonne per year waste to energy plant to be built at Beddington Farmlands in south London, which is said is land that has been earmarked for London’s newest country park. The London Borough of Sutton's Development Control Committee gave the green light for the facility back in May 2013, and Viridor - a part of the Pennon Group (LSE: PNN) – was granted an environmental permit f by the UK’s Environment Agency in July last year. However, the decision to grant planning permission is being challenged by Khan on the basis Sutton made a serious error by applying the wrong planning policy to the incinerator and that they were unduly influenced by their contractual relationship with the developer Viridor. The decision to allow Khan to proceed with a Judicial Review into the granting of planning permission is a blow for Viridor, which had estimated construction to start in spring 2014 and full operations in 2017. Another round of legal wrangling will now ensue before a final decision on the facility’s future is reached. In his ruling, the Honourable Mr Justice Collins said: “Despite lengthy attempts to show that this claim totally lacks merit on all grounds, I am satisfied that, save for Ground 2 (legitimate expectation) in respect of which I refuse permission, the claim is arguable.” “The possible conflict of interest in the defendant’s roles and the contractual relationship with Viridor is all too obvious,” continued Collins. Following the ruling Khan said: “In World Cup speak, a tricky qualification has been achieved. Now we all look forward to the finals.” Viridor said in a statement: “Viridor is aware that permission has been granted for a judicial review between an individual claimant and the LB Sutton (London Borough of Sutton) regarding the granting of planning consent for Viridor's Beddington Lane Energy Recovery Facility. The company notes that the matter is expedited. As a listed interested party, Viridor will provide robust evidence for the legal case. "The need for vital infrastructure to enable the diversion of waste from landfill, and its utilisation as a fuel for energy security in South London and across the UK, remains pressing.” According to a report by This is London, a spokeswoman for Sutton Council said: "The judicial review will look at whether the planning process for the energy recovery facility has been followed correctly. We believe it has and that our decision is sound. We welcome the court’s decision to expedite the judicial review so it will be heard as soon as possible." Read More Viridor's 26 MW Waste to Energy Plant Gets Green Light Viridor’s planned 26 MW waste to energy facility in Sutton, South London has been granted an environmental permit by the UK’s Environment Agency. EPA Approval for 18.5 MW Waste to Energy Gasification Plant in Perth, Australia New Energy Corporation’s proposed 18.5 MW waste to energy gasification facility in Perth has been recommended for approval by Western Australia’s EPA. EA Minded to Permit 220,000 TPA SITA Solid Recovered Fuel Plant in Rugby, UK The UK’s Environment Agency has published its draft decision which said that it is minded to grant a permit for SITA's 220,000 tonne per year Solid Recovered Fuel facility in Rugby.