After allegations of impropriety

Dear Editor,

There have been recent comments made about a planning application I submitted for my house, I feel that I should set the record straight. I told Cllr Julian Bell – Leader of Ealing Council - that I intended to submit a planning application to make alterations to my house.

I had a meeting with the Director of Built Environment at my house for informal pre-planning advice. Cllr Bell made the introductions and my architect was present to discuss what we were thinking to do to the house. No planning officers were present.

I did not seek any advantage. As this was a potentially controversial proposal, because I am a local politician, I thought it would be useful to engage early with the council.

The application was submitted to the full Planning Committee for consideration and it was turned down, I hope the councillors on the committee judged it purely on planning grounds rather than seeking to gain political advantage – but who knows.

For a local UKIP councillor to make serious allegations about this case and try and make political capital out of it is unacceptable, but is sadly par for the course.

Yours,

Dr Onkar Sahota AM

London Assembly Member

Ealing and Hillingdon

July 18, 2013