THE approval of the redevelopment of Perceval House by Ealing's planning committee 'cannot stand' due to technical errors, the council has announced.

Members of the committee will reconvene to reconsider the controversial application after the meeting being live streamed on March 10 was cut off and crucial parts of the debate and the vote, were not publicly broadcast.

Residents, councillors and MP Rupa Huq all reacted in despair to the 'shambolic' process of deciding one of the biggest landmark applications in central Ealing.

In a statement yesterday, March 19, an Ealing Council spokesperson said: "Ealing Council's monitoring officer has advised the chair of the planning committee that the decision taken by the planning committee held on Wednesday, 10 March, cannot stand.

"At the meeting held on March 10 there was an unexpected problem with the broadcast stream and the last 40 minutes, which included part of the debate and the vote, was not broadcast publicly on the council's YouTube stream.

"Measures have been taken to prevent a re-occurrence.

"As a result, the planning committee needs to meet afresh to consider the application.

"Steps are being taken to confirm a suitable date for as soon as possible, to allow this to happen, in circumstances where the public will be able to witness the full debate and the vote."

They added: "The monitoring officer gave her advice following full consideration of what happened at the March 10 planning committee meeting and also, consideration of the legal position.

"It has always been a fundamental principle of Ealing Council's decision making that it be completely transparent and it is disappointing that, due to technical problems outside the council's control, that did not happen at the March 10 meeting."