Planning committee approves, rescinds and then defers decision in matter of minutes

The bizarre sequence of events came when the committee considered an application to redevelop a former health site in Wembley with 108 homes.

Members tied 4-4 and chair Harshadbhai Patel used his casting vote in favour of the application.

But a council statement said: “Immediately after this, it was found that one of the members had not been present for the entire discussion of the item, and therefore, according to paragraph 59 of Part 2 of the Brent Constitution, was not entitled to vote.“

This meant the councillors who opposed the application were then a majority and overturned it.

The statement said: “Officers explained the implications of the contrary decision, and provided advice regarding the validity of the reasons that were given.

“Officers raised concern regarding the validity of the reasons that were given and recommended that members defer the application.” The committee then agreed to the deferral.

Concerns raised by the project’s opponents included insufficient affordable housing, lack of parking provision, lack of community space and harm to neighbouring amenity.

Mark Smulian