NEIGHBOURS rallied against a proposed recycling plant in Yiewsley at a public meeting on Thursday, ahead of a crucial planning meeting next week.

St Matthew's Church was full of people as residents, councillors and MPs gathered to discuss the impact that Powerday's plans would have on the area.

Speakers encouraged as many as possible to attend the meeting of the planning committee, to be held at the Civic Centre in Uxbridge on Tuesday (December 10) at 8pm.

"It is important you're there on Tuesday," said John McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington. "If we mobilise as a community, I think we can win, but we need to be extremely determined."

Mr McDonnell highlighted the impact the plant would have on the already serious air pollution in the area.

"We have some of the worst air pollution in the country," he said. "Every year now, more than 100 people die as a result of air pollution."

Mr McDonnell confirmed that he and John Randall, MP for Uxbridge, speak as one on the issue.

"The fact is that Powerday is a very big company," said Mr Randall. "However, we know the area much better and we know this is going to be devastating."

All speakers emphasised that the more residents who attend the planning meeting the stronger the case against Powerday's application.

"Please, please keep fighting with us. We need your help," said Cllr Janet Duncan (Lab, Yiewsley).

"Be ready with pen and computer to express your views when the time comes. In this way, we will beat this waste juggernaut."

Garden City Estate Residents' Association are a driving force behind the campaign, collecting almost 4,000 signatures on nine petitions over six weeks.

Each petition highlighted a different impact the proposal would have on the area, including constant noise and disruption, traffic congestion and financial loss for local businesses.

Cllr Dominic Gilham (Con, Yiewsley), who will be on the planning committee on Tuesday, also spoke out against the application.

"I may be pre-disposed to have a feeling about this application but not pre-determined," he said.

"I will go into the meeting with an open mind and look at the facts and then make a decision."

The planning application can be viewed on the coun cil website: http://planning.hillingdon.gov.uk/OcellaWeb/planningDetails?reference=18736/APP/2013/1784&from=planningSearch