TENSIONS are still running high on the planning committee over claims that members simply vote along party lines.

Councillors are supposed to make independent decisions on planning applications but after recent contentious proposals, members have faced accusations that they simply follow the party line.

The controversial housing scheme for Walthamstow Stadium was passed last week after majority Labour members pushed the application through.

And last Thursday, Labour members secured approval for a large housing estate in Billet Road, Walthamstow, and voted through a proposal to turn Walthamstow Stadium's car park into a bus depot.

Clearly frustrated at the process, Conservative committee member Cllr Ed Northover said: "There is a certain inevitability to every scheme we have before us."

His Tory colleague, Cllr Alan Siggers was equally critical.

After slamming the scheme, he said: "But it doesn't matter because we know it will be passed."

But Labour councillor and committee chair Peter Burnett hit back by insisting his party colleagues a free to make their own decisions.

When asked to explain why he said he "partly agreed" with Cllr Northover's comment during the meeting, he said: ""What I meant is the Tories and the Lib Dems opposing every reasonable application.

"There's some politics in this and it's the politics of opposition."

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