On December 9, councillors on the North Hillingdon planning committee voted against council policy when they allowed a day nursery to be set up at a busy junction in Ickenham, which is in the Ickenham conservation area.

This is a precedent that other applicants can now quote in their attempt to open businesses in the area.

Conservation areas were put in place to preserve the place designated as such.

This particular property is adjacent to a busy main road and on a road that narrows so that traffic flow is restricted.

This application was recommended for refusal by the contact officer, who had been paid for by the council to vet it.

One of the reason for refusal was the conservation area policy.

This fact was ignored by the committee.

It will be the beginning of the end for conservation areas if our council-lors act in this way.

ROSEMARY HODGSON,

Rectory Way, Ickenham.