I would like to comment on the article in last week's Chronicle regarding Alan Keen and his irresponsible support for illegal construction of garages and outbuildings, as well as full over-development of domestic properties, in a privileged part of the borough.
I am rather surprised about his comments regarding his time as a councillor.
His implication is that Hounslow Council's planning committee, supported by officers of the council at the time, were approving planning applications solely on the basis of religious or ethnic background.
May I press upon Mr Keen that in this day and age, a great many other Hounslow residents would like to extend their properties for their family use, with elderly parents in mind, and have been refused.
To my memory, this is not just a present-day situation but has been on-going for some time.
The ruling Labour Party members must have had the full knowledge of this illegal practice, to instruct officers to withhold legal implementation of the restriction of illegal buildings.
This is utter madness and downright insulting to other Hounslow applicants.
I would also like to know if the majority of members who have previously served on the planning committee would condone such irresponsible actions, as I was always of the belief that planning was founded on good statute and not open to political whims.
This clearly is not the case in this instance.
In this situation, one can only support the existing planning committee in their efforts to execute their duties.
NOEL MURPHY (ex-councillor)
New Road, Bedfont. ..SUPL:
