Ealing Council has deferred a decision on whether an incinerator can be installed in Harlesden pending further reports.

Campaigners against the plans held a protest outside Ealing Town Hall shortly before a meeting took place on Wednesday where the decision was adjourned.

Critics from Brent and Ealing are opposing the proposals for Channel Gate Road by Clean Power Properties’.

They claim the four chimney “energy recovery centre” will increase air pollution and traffic volume.

Ealing Council had initially recommended the plans were approved, subject to conditions, even though a report for planning officers by their own regulatory services stated the application should be refused.

However following concerns raised by a number of speakers at the meeting they will probe further into the possible affects of the incinerator before they decide.

Cllr Zaffar Van Kalwala who represents Stonebridge Ward, spoke at the meeting.

He told the Times: “We are glad that Ealing has seen sense and will look further into how this will affect the community.

“This is about residents’ lives and the environment they live in.

“We will continue with this fight and will take it to City Hall and if need be Whitehall.”

A spokesman for Ealing Council said: The decision was deferred so that the committee could look at working examples of similar energy recovery centres to better understand the processes involved in breaking down the waste, and the impact of emission levels. The committee also asked that the conditions attached to lorries visiting the site are reviewed, and for more information on HS2’s plans for the site.

“The date that this application will go back to committee has yet to be decided. However, regardless of whether the application is refused or approved, the final decision will lie with the Mayor of London and the Secretary of State for Transport.”