A SWANSEA councillor and planning committee chief has claimed the city is blighted by "abominations" and needs more pride in its appearance.

And Veronyca Bates Hughes accused some fellow members of opting for the "lowest common denominator" when it came to decisions on applications.

The Cockett councillor, who is chairwoman of the west area planning committee and vice-chairwoman of the south west committee, claimed there had been occasions when councillors had condoned alterations to houses because neighbouring properties had something similar — this despite planning officer concerns.

"Some councillors say, 'Other people have it, so these people should have it regardless'," said Ms Bates Hughes. "They seem happy to come down to the lowest common denominator."

She said she appreciated that planning law had changed, but was concerned that "creep" — whereby a neighbourhood ends up looking different from what was originally planned — could affect Swansea and Gower.

The Lib Dem councillor also claimed developers and their agents held too much sway when it came to seeking retrospective planning application for something already built.

"I find it appalling," said Ms Bates Hughes, who added that council enforcement officers did seem to be "picking up" on this more nowadays.

She continued: "I feel there is very little pride in this town. You walk around Swansea and see some abominations."

Many of these extensions and alterations didn't have planning permission, she said.

"There is a bizarre anachronism — planners can dictate fenestration for new homes, but there are no regulations for existing houses," she said.

Councillor Byron Owen, who also serves on the south west planning committee, said councillors treated each application on its merits, and would seek clarification and advice from officers if required.

In his experience, it was not the case that councillors would allow a dubious property alteration because neighbours had something similar.

"Each member has his own point of view," said the Labour councillor, adding: "If it gets out of hand, we are in trouble."

richard.youle@swwmedia.co.uk