Campaigners have issued a "see you in court" threat to developers and planners in a last-ditch bid to overthrow plans for a recycling plant near their luxury homes on Wandsworth riverside.

The town hall approved plans for the 25m high Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) at the Smugglers Way rubbish tip last Thursday, despite protests from those living in the plush Riverside West development.

Rubbish disposal and recycling firm Cory Environmental has told the council the MRF, which covers the same area as a football pitch, is desperately needed to hit Government targets of having 30 per cent of waste recycled by 2010.

But disillusioned residents living near the site claim Wand-sworth councillors did not fully address pleas for a scientific noise and pollution test this year at the current tip, which they say is noisy, dusty and clogged up with traffic.

The Office for the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) said protesters would have to mount a High Court legal challenge based on a planning flaw in the law, as it was too late for an inquiry.

Dan Upward, chairman of residents' action group Wands-worth Concern, said they were left with no alternative apart from legal action.

He said: "What we are asking for is the council to look into our queries about traffic and noise level and the affect it will have on people living in the vicinity."

Cory Environmental will have to follow restrictions, including a limit on hours of use. It must also partially cover the tip.

John Boldon, Cory's director of planning said the development was great news for London and the wider waste authority area.

Planning chairman Ravi Govindia said: "The application was judged on planning grounds and its suitability for the area. On balance members felt there were sufficient controls in place to reduce noise from the whole site and limit the impact of the extra heavy goods traffic."

seast@london.newsquest.co.uk