AN under-fire Bradford MP has been told that new security gates at her home have breached planning rules.

An investigation by planning officers has concluded that an electric driveway gate at Bradford West MP Naz Shah's house should have had planning permission as they are higher than two metres.

The council has also ruled that some of the gate mechanism and hinges - which are attached to Grade II listed cottages belonging to neighbours in Allerton - were put up without listed building consent.

Ms Shah, who has since apologised to neighbours, said she would now seek retrospective permission from the council for the work.

As previously reported in the Telegraph & Argus, some neighbours were left angry and upset earlier this year when the work was done, with two residents claiming that they were not consulted.

One of them, Sylvia Meares, said she was still angry that a control/service box and cabling had been attached to the rear of her house.

She claims that she was not consulted before work - which she said included drilling into house walls - took place.

Mrs Meares, who has lived in her listed cottage for 30 years, said she wanted the gates reduced in height and the junction box and cabling removing from her wall.

"I know she needs the gates for security but surely they could be better than they are.

"Everyone I have spoken to says that the junction box should not be on my wall. It appears that all the work has been done in haste."

Mrs Meares and other neighbours were initially angry that the electric gate blocked an access track that they were entitled to use to reach the back of their cottages.

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That was resolved when they were given the security code, but not until after Mrs Meares had to turn away a window cleaner and a roofer who had an appointment to carry out work.

Ms Shah, who has been suspended by the Labour Party over social media posts she made about Israel before she became an MP, said that she had apologised to neighbours for "miscommunication between us" regarding work on the gates.

She is about to submit a retrospective planning application and request retrospective listed building consent, she added.

Ms Shah said she would ask Mrs Meares for her thoughts on the "electric box" attached to her wall which would be removed if required.

"I have already apologised to neighbours. I said sorry if there was miscommunication between us."

Ms Shah said she was not aware that the gates needed planning permission, nor was she aware of the need for listed building consent.

She said the gate and lights were simply replacements for older ones that had been there years.

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "The security gates do require planning permission because they are higher than two metres.

"We have spoken to the owner and explained the options open to her, and are now awaiting a response."

The spokesman added: "Regarding the gates at a property on Crow Tree Lane, some of the gate mechanism and hinges, while not needing planning permission, do need Listed Building Consent.

"We have contacted the owner to confirm this. We are now waiting for a reply.

"Regarding the ownership of the property to which the gate mechanism is attached and the authorisation to do so, that is a matter for the residents."