Throughout the development of the project, close contact was maintained with local residents. Public consultations began in September 1989, and meetings were held to keep local residents and businesses informed. An "Incinerator Monitoring Group" was established by the local community to put forward the local community's view, and a representative of the group attended SELCHP board meetings to hear at firsthand how the project was progressing. Conditional Planning Permission was granted in May 1990, but further work was called for on noise control, traffic movements and architectural enhancements. A noise survey was conducted, and SELCHP formulated a plan to limit night-time noise to 50dB (A) at specific locations around the plant which, together with other measures, involved fitting sound-attenuating doors to the waste bunkers and tipping hall. Enhancements were made to the plant's landscaping and architectural design to recognise that the buildings, some 45m high and covering 7500m2 (and with a chimney height of 100m), would become a significant feature on South London's skyline. Arrangements were also made to provide Lewisham's Environmental Health Department with on-line emission monitoring equipment so that they could keep a constant check on the plant's performance. In August 1991 the planning conditions were satisfied and site clearance work commenced.