A COUNCILLOR found herself at the centre of a Blackburn committee rumpus when she tried to speak and vote on a planning application she had already said she would oppose.

Coun Sheila Williams indicated she wanted to speak against plans to extend a house in Low Mead, Beardwood Brow, Blackburn.

But a report to the planning committee already included her opposition to the plan on the grounds that the house was larger than most in the area.

When she went to speak, Labour councillors demanded to know if she was allowed to, given she had already stated before the meeting she would oppose the project.

Councillor rules state no comment should be passed in public about a planning application they will help determine. If she had voted against the plan and it had been refused, Coun Williams could have been reported to the Standard Board - the body which regulates councillor activity - because the applicant could have argued he was not given a fair hearing.

Initially, Coun Williams was told it was up to her whether she decided to speak, but Coun Sue Reid warned her: "I think you run the risk of being reported to the Standards Board because you've already said how you will vote."

And Labour councillor Andy Kay said: "We've always been told not to vote on things we have spoken about beforehand."

Coun Williams then withdrew from speaking and voting, but said: "It's never been a problem before."