|
|
 |
| |
Cllr Heather Johnson |
TOWERING ROW FOR EX-MAYOR
Legal threat over ‘conflict
of interest’ claim
CAMPAIGNERS are considering legal action after a controversial
multi-million tower block on the fringe of Regent’s Park
was given the green light on Thursday.
They claim the chairwoman of the planning committee – whose
casting vote allowed the plans to go through – should not
have voted because she had already declared an interest.
Councillor Heather Johnson, a former Mayor, was made chairwoman
of the planning committee only six months ago. She is also a
director of the West Euston Partnership, a regeneration scheme
that receives millions of pounds from the government and private
sector. One of its funders is British Land, which is behind
the controversial tower block scheme (see page 6 for full details).
Its director, Sir John Ritblat, was a guest at the recent party
held in honour of the former leader of Camden Council, Dame
Jane Roberts, when she stepped down last year.
The West Euston Partnership (WEP), which prints British Land’s
logo on its literature, wrote a letter in support of the tower
block scheme. Members also attended the meeting to back the
plans in person.
Yet, at the WEP meeting to discuss the scheme Cllr Johnson excused
herself. At the beginning of Thursday’s planning meeting
at the Town Hall Cllr Johnson declared her interest – yet
went on to vote anyway.
Cllr Johnson insisted she was allowed to take part in the meeting
but the focus on her link with the WEP has been increased by
the fact that her casting vote proved pivotal to the scheme
winning overall approval – a vote of councillors had been
tied at 5-5.
The Regent’s Park Conservation Area Advisory Committee
(RPCAAC), opponents to the proposals, have raised concerns with
Moira Gibb, the council chief executive.
Chairman Richard Simpson said: “It is hard to understand
why Councillor Johnson’s interest was not considered ‘prejudicial’.
On the face of it, Councillor Johnson seems to have followed
an improper procedure.”
He added that his committee would be seeking legal advice.
Conservative councillors Jonny Bucknell and Don Williams have
complained to the Town Hall’s legal department over Cllr
Johnson’s link to the WEP.
Last night (Wednesday), Cllr Bucknell was waiting for a response
from Borough Solicitor Alison Lowton.
He told the New Journal: “I’m very fond of Heather
but we have to go by the code of conduct and we have raised
our concerns. I think the officers should have pulled her up
on it. We only found out afterwards. It’s an easy slip
to make, I really think the officers should have spotted this
and pointed it out.” Cllr Williams added: “We want
clarification of what has gone on here. I don’t know whether
there is a conflict of interests but from the outside eyebrows
could be raised.”
The controversy could not have come at a worse time for the
planning committee, which is now just weeks away from considering
£2 billion plans to revamp the railwaylands behind King’s
Cross and St Pancras stations – its biggest ever task.
It is also still reeling after last year’s sacking of former
chairman Councillor Brian Woodrow, who was ousted by his own
Labour colleagues amid claims that he was biased against the
King’s Cross development. British Land has actively participated
in the WEP’s work – providing rent-free offices and
providing regular funding. British Land director Adrian Penfold
is also a director of the WEP and the partnership is mentioned
in the brochure accompanying the planning application.
Yesterday (Wednesday), British Land declined to comment on the
row over Cllr Johnson’s vote.
The Crown Estate, co-applicants in the case, are represented
on the WEP board by Ross Houston.
Mohammed Joynal Uddin, the chairman of the WEP, also funded
by government grants, the National Lottery and Camden Council,
said: “We set-up a sub-group and Heather left the room
when we talked about it. She didn’t take part. This is
a good project for West Euston. British Land has helped the
area a lot.”
He said that British Land had helped fund improvements to the
nearby Samuel Lithgow youth club.
Forced to defend her position, Cllr Johnson said on Monday that
there was nothing wrong with her handling of the British Land
application.
She said: “I was not involved in the consultation or negotiations
and so had no prejudicial interest in the matter.
“The West Euston Partnership was not the applicant in this
case, and the fact that their board had taken a decision to
support the application did not bind me to that view.
“My view was that the scheme in itself was of good architectural
design and any shortcomings were outweighed by the provision
of good quality, large unit affordable housing in the scheme,
the huge improvements planned for the public realm and the contributions
to local employment and youth facilities.” |
|
|
|
