Ealing Council's planning committee has been criticised for approving controversial plans to extend a home owned by two of its members.

Labour Cllr's Ray Wall and Lauren Wall, Planning Committee members, were granted approval for a two-storey extension in Manor Court Road, Hanwell , in a conservation area.

The pair did not sit on the committee during the May 18 meeting but a decision to approve the extension has sparked criticism from neighbours.

'Wholly inappropriate'

Hanwell Village Green Conservation Area Residents' Association were among 16 to object, believing it impacts the conservation area negatively.

The Hanwell and Canals Conservation Area Advisory Panel also objected on the same grounds.

Surveyors BVP, hired by the Wall's neighbour Jennifer Moseley, said before the meeting: ''There is no doubt this extension is wholly inappropriate both visually and in the context of my client’s daylight."

Other concerns about overlooking and loss of privacy, over-development and its close proximity with neighbouring properties were also raised.

But the Labour council said the impact to neighbours, particularly Ms Moseley, had been considered and would not result in any harm or loss of daylight.

'No conflict of interest'

Liberal Democrat Cllr Jon Ball, who sat on the planning committee but voted against the extension, believes there was a "risk of conflict of interest" and said such applications were not "normally acceptable".

But Cllr Lauren Wall, who pointed to the report describing it as "not uncharacteristic", said: "It is not a conflict of interest for councillors who serve on the planning committee to submit a planning application as long as they play no part in deciding their own application.

"As the Code of Conduct for councillors prohibits us from attending any council meeting in which we have a pecuniary interest we did not have the right to speak in person in support of our application as other applicants do.

"We were therefore not able to address any objections raised at the meeting as all other applicants are able to do.

"There is no policy prohibiting extensions in conservation areas and there are already existing double storey side extensions in Hanwell Village Green Conservation Area.

"A group of objectors on its own is not a sufficient reason to refuse permission for an application. There must be valid planning reasons to do so."

'Undemocratic'

Manor Road neighbour Ms Moseley said the decision was "disappointing" given the duo have already had two extensions approved in the past.

She claims the extension will block daylight coming into a total of five windows in her home.

And she also accused the pair, and the committee, of hypocrisy given they have voted against applications before on the grounds they are inappropriate for a conservation area.

She said: "I think it is very disappointing given the scale of opposition.

"I believe they are influenced in the situation. The building is not in line with the housing area.

"It is completely undemocratic, they have said before we have to protect the area."