A final blow was dealt to residents when a controversial recycling plant was given the go ahead after a public inquiry.

Around 50 defiant protesting an application for a road excavation recycling centre at Beddington Lane, turned up for an inquiry at the end of last year – despite there being little chance the application by HS Works would be thrown out.

Councillors were forced to backtrack over a development control committee decision to reject plans after legal advice behind closed doors highlighted a lack of evidence to support their reasons for refusing on the grounds of noise and air pollution.

Despite the councillors' u-turn, the inquiry at Wallington’s Trinity Centre could not be cancelled and could cost taxpayers £8,000. Previously, council officers had recommended the application for approval.

800 people signed a petition protesting the plans over fears it would cause traffic problems, health risks, dust, noise and damage their quality of life.

Beddington Village residents' association chairman Mike Dunne said: “It's terribly disappointing. The whole of Beddington Lane has become one big dump.

“Once again we feel residents have been totally forgotten. I'm extremely disappointed and totally deflated.”