A COUNCILLOR has apologised for breaking a code of conduct after lobbying a planning committee about a neighbour’s extension.

Andrew Hodgson, South Oxfordshire’s Conservative district councillor for Wheatley and Horspath, said he acted naively when he handed a letter to fellow councillors objecting to plans for a property in Crown Road, Wheatley, after the owners submitted a planning application in March last year to demolish their bungalow and replace it with a two-storey house.

Following an investigation, the council said Mr Hodgson’s letter — which used the greeting “dear colleagues” and was marked ‘private and confidential’ — tried to persuade councillors to refuse permission, breaching the code.

While he could oppose a planning application like any other resident, he was not supposed to use his position as a councillor in any way which might influence colleagues.

The council’s standards committee said he should be censured and asked him to write to the chairman of the council’s planning committee to apologise.

Mr Hodgson said he was acting in a personal capacity.

This week, he wrote to the Oxford Mail explaining the complaint over his behaviour had led to 12 unpleasant months for him and his family.

He wrote: “Whilst I am certain that my intention was never to gain an unfair advantage, with hindsight I can now see the impression, however small, that could have been created.

“It is vital that the public have the utmost confidence in local councillors and I regret that my actions have led to that confidence being compromised.”

He concluded: “I apologise unreservedly to all those involved and I fully accept and will act upon the findings of the board.

“I have learned an important lesson and I will redouble my efforts to ensure I never again fall short of the standards demanded of me as ... district councillor. I believe that the matter is now closed.”