SIR: We are very concerned at how public justice and accountability has been undermined by the handling of the planning application for an extension of 30 Monks Road in the Hyde Conservation Area of Winchester.

The Planning Committee decided to grant planning consent at a meeting on June 18, when it was apparent that the nine committee members present were materially misled in their deliberations. They were clearly told by the case officer that the application was within the length allowed under permitted development regulations, when in fact it is nearly twice the length allowed under permitted development in a conservation area.

It should be said that scant regard was given in the officer’s report, or at the meeting, to the very valid concerns of the 12 objectors (there were no supporters).

When considering issues affecting the preservation of our important heritage, our conservation areas and our local communities, we would expect a higher standard of democracy and natural justice to be applied.

However, rather than pursue a costly and stressful Judicial Review, we wish this letter to expose the flaws in the council's decision-making in order to deter future applicants in respect of other nearby properties from trying to use this application as a precedent.

Richard and Cheryl Barkwill,

Tom Lamb,

Joanna Morgan,

Nicky Morris,

Michael Morris,

Sarah Hartley,

Jon Alsop,

Jeremy Williams,

Tanya Hudson,

Neil Hyman,

Sharon Goodenough,

David Griffiths,

Rose Burns