A decision on a controversial application by a councillor to build a house in her Bexleyheath back garden will be made this evening.

“Angry” neighbours of Erith Councillor Margaret O’Neill protested to News Shopper in January that the proposed building at the back of Garden Avenue will block out sunlight and damage wildlife.

But the application by council planning committee member Coun O’Neill has been recommended by planning officers.

The report before the committee argues the development would: “result in no significant adverse impact on the visual amenities of the locality, surrounding residential amenity, or on the parking or the highway network and would provide a satisfactory standard of accommodation for future occupiers.”

Residents were told of the application for the two bedroom development fronting Palmar Road on January 3.

Coun O’Neill will have to declare an interest and leave the meeting at the Bexleyheath Civic Centre this evening while the decision is made.