AN e-petition condemning Ealing's planning department has been rejected by council members.

Former Conservative councillor Benjamin Dennehy e-mailed Julian Bell, the Labour leader of Ealing Council, with the petition, which outlines the "failings" of Ealing's planning department.

"I am rather disturbed to discover that Ealing Council has rejected, as inappropriate, an online petition submitted by me calling for a public meeting to address residents' concerns over 'perceived corruption' within Ealing's planning department" said Cllr Dennehy.

He added: "I have made no allegations of corruption. I have pointed out that consistent incompetence creates the impression of deliberate acts and is perceived by many as corruption."

Cllr Dennehy now represents the UK Independence Party on the council.

The council told him it was not appropriate to host a petition that suggests its officers might be corrupt and that the petition would only be dealt with if addressed by the chief executive or service director, who would come to a decision to launch it.

Cllr Dennehy said residents felt ignored and undermined by planning communications between themselves and the council.

A council spokesperson said Cllr Dennehy had not reported any allegations, but if he did they would be taken seriously and would be fully investigated.

"We have one of the busiest planning services in London and processed over 4,000 applications in the last year," said the spokesperson. "We also have a good record in terms of the time taken to determine applications and the number of decisions overturned on appeal.

“By their nature, planning applications do not always gain total support of everyone, but our process is transparent and operates to the highest ethical standards, with all interested parties invited to put forward their views for consideration."

A revised planning committee will be approved tonight (May 14) , when Cllr Dennehy intends to question other councillors on their plans to improve the department.