NEIGHBOURS have questioned whether increased security measures at a Bradford MP's home have breached planning rules.

Residents living near Labour MP Naz Shah in Allerton, Bradford, have raised concerns over a new electric driveway gate, security lights and cables, parts of which have been attached to the rear of their Grade II listed homes.

Two neighbours claimed they weren't consulted before work started on their listed cottages and have queried whether local authority permission is required for such work.

The Bradford West MP said she was waiting to hear from Bradford Council about such permission.

Sylvia Meares was annoyed to discover a control/service box and cabling had been attached to her home of 30 years.

"People's walls were drilled without their permission," she claimed.

"The house deeds state that we have access along the track but we couldn't get through the gate.

"A roofer was due to come to do some work at my house but he couldn't. The window cleaner couldn't do the windows."

Although she now has been given the gate's security code, she has been left upset about the drilling into her house wall.

"I am annoyed that they drilled into the walls. I don't like the big box on my wall."

Her son, Jonathan, who lives elsewhere, said: "The cabling is wrapped around mum's guttering. I think it's incredibly rude."

Neighbour Martin Seward, whose 350-year home is also listed, has queried if permission was needed to alter the exterior of listed buildings.

Mr Seward said neighbours were within their rights be angry and upset but he has remained relaxed about it.

He praised Ms Shah for her prompt reply to his email about neighbours not having immediate access to the gate's security code.

"She got back to us and now we have got the code. Everything was handled pretty smoothly," he said.

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Although he said the security lights had been put up "quite hastily" he and his wife are happy with the new exterior lighting.

"I'm not angry as she (Ms Shah) is not that kind of neighbour. I sent her an email and she said she would be speaking to planning (at Bradford Council) herself. She is a good neighbour and is always very friendly," he said.

Mr Seward said he believed one neighbour may have given permission for work on their property.

He added: "Possibly, it hasn't been realised that our properties are listed.

"There hasn't been intent to hide it or mislead us. The only question is the listed property (issue) and whether it has altered the external aesthetics."

Mr Seward added: "I can't stress enough that Naz has been nothing but helpful and neighbourly."

Ms Shah told the Telegraph & Argus that after the work had been done, the issue of listed building consent had been raised and she had contacted the council to ask if she needed permission for the work. She is awaiting a response.

"If I need listed building consent I will get it. I wasn't aware. My neighbours and I are on very good terms," she added.

She said the lights and gate were simply replacements for older ones that had been there for years and her contractor had spoken to neighbours before the work started.

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "Planning officers have received an enquiry about a property in Allerton, and until we have investigated we cannot make any further comment."