Nightclub that opposed scheme gave £80,000 to Liberal Democrats

The planning committee that rejected Allies & Morrison’s Elephant & Castle development could be re-run after it emerged that the principal objector gave £80,000 to the Liberal Democrats.

None of the committee’s Lib Dem councillors declared the donations from the Ministry of Sound nightclub before the meeting, after Southwark Council’s solicitor advised it was unnecessary.

But lawyers for developer Oakmayne are taking up the matter “at the highest levels” of the council and the Greater London Authority, which has the power to call in the scheme.

They said the test in law was not whether councillors were influenced but whether a reasonable member of the public would question their independence.

In a statement Oakmayne said it “appears to cast very serious doubts over the decision to refuse planning permission”.

The 41-storey residential tower, for a site known as Eileen House, was unanimously rejected by Southwark’s planning committee last month despite being recommended for approval by the planning officers.

Two weeks later a development by Panter Hudspith for a neighbouring site was approved.

The Ministry of Sound has been campaigning against housing developments close to its premises on the grounds that a single noise complaint lodged by a new resident could see the club shut down.

This week it emerged that the club donated £21,000 to Southwark Liberal Democrats earlier this year, £57,300 to the national party, and a further £1,000 to its local MP, Lib Dem Simon Hughes.

Graham Morrison, director of Allies & Morrison, said: “We believe no one has broken any rules but it’s not whether you have broken a rule that counts but whether you are acting within the spirit of the intention of declaring an interest.

“We find it slightly curious that for almost identical reasons one scheme should be passed and the other refused.”

Panter Hudspith’s Simon Hudspith said: “I was very surprised that the donations were made so close to the planning decision.

“It’s a substantial sum of money and while it’s all been done in accordance with the rules, people will draw their own conclusions from the facts.”

A spokesman for Ministry of Sound denied any impropriety and said it had funded all the main parties over the years.

Southwark Council and Southwark Lib Dems insisted the correct procedures were followed.

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