Plans for a waste plant in Yiewsley were given a resounding "no!", in a victory for the formidable resident-led campaign.

There was elation and relief amongst the crowd of more than 100 people that packed into the council chambers at the Civic Centre last night (Tuesday), as major planning committee members unanimously rejected an application from recycling firm Powerday for a waste management facility on the 13-and-a-half acre Old Coal Depot site, in Tavistock Road.

Powerday made a last-minute plea to have the application deferred, but this was knocked back.

Committee member, Councillor Michael Markham, called the decision a "no brainer".

Leading the successful campaign against the Powerday bid was the Garden City Estate Residents Association (GCERA), who compiled eight petitions and collected nearly 4,000 signatures during a highly organised crusade against the proposed Materials Recycling Facility (MRF).

Five petitioners spoke with great conviction and clarity at the meeting, and each speech drew applause from those in the chambers.

The large number of extra lorry movements, access through the nearby town centre and the resultant traffic, noise and air pollution, and the impact on surrounding homes, some within a 50 metre radius, are amongst the multitude of issues central to the opposition campaign.

The first person up was GCERA secretary Jan Sweeting, who said the development would make the area a "business and residential blackspot."

The GCERA seized on the 950,000-tonne annual waste capacity originally proposed for the plant, nearly two-thirds of which (600,000) would be transported by road.

Adrian James, from planning consultants Barton Willmore and speaking for Powerday, revealed that Powerday, in response to the public outcry, would reduce this capacity by more than half, to 450,000 tonnes a year with the same proportion delivered by road, and urged the committee to consider the application at a later date with the amendments.

Planning officers advised that the building plans remained the same, and councillors agreed to determine the original application there and then.

Two local MPs, John Randall (Conservative, Uxbridge and South Ruislip) and John McDonnell (Labour, Hayes and Harlington) were in attendance to show their support for the campaigners.

Councillor Dominic Gilham (Conservative, Yiewsley) resigned from his place on the committee so he could be vocal in his opposition.

"The people of Yiewsley and West Drayton just don't want this in their high street, it is as simple as that," said Cllr Gilham.

"It doesn't matter how much waste there will be. A rubbish tip is a rubbish tip.

"The strength of feeling is high, but there were clear reasons to refuse it on planning reasons alone."

GCERA member David Andrew said after the meeting: "We are delighted. It is over, bar an appeal, and we are ready for this next stage."

"It has been more than four years since Powerday first said what they wanted to do on the site, and we have fought it all the way.

"We will make Powerday powerless and campaign again if they decide to come back with another application."

The committee delegated powers to the council's Head of Planning, Green Spaces and Culture to refuse planning permission.