Campaigners against building plans on a historic Marlow street say they feel let down by town councillors who refused to comment due to personal and political ties with the applicant.

Lyn McIntyre, who lives next door to the controversial St Peter Street project featured last week,  says residents have had little support from Marlow Town Council (MTC) members.

It comes after its planning committee declared a conflict of interests due to applicant Kate Wrigley's position as president of the Marlow Conservative Association.

Mrs McIntyre, 62, who has lived on the street with her husband John for 21 years, said: "We feel unsupported by councillors who have taken a back seat due to a conflict of interests.

"It is a real concern of ours how much this will affect the outcome. They are our town councillors and we have been left to get on with it.

"With the amount of protest it should go to committee so at least it will be discussed, and I’m hoping they will turn it down."

More than 30 complaints were received over plans to build a square, four bedroom retirement house on one of the oldest streets in Marlow.

Mr and Mrs Wrigley claim the design is eco-friendly and looks to the future.

As Conservative Association president, Mrs Wrigley endorsed nominations for Marlow councillors including Wycombe District Council leader Richard Scott.

The town council acts only as a consultee on planning matters, with the final say taken by WDC’s planning committee.

Former Marlow mayor and Liberal Democrat Derek Done said:"When you have all one party in the posts, you don’t have members of other parties to monitor and comment on what’s going on.

"We can’t accuse them of doing anything wrong, they all have to declare their interests.

"But as far as the public are concerned the town council has ruled itself out of commenting on a very important application for many people."

Town clerk Annie Jones said the decision by councillors to stay silent on the matter is governed by rules over the declaration of interests.

Cllr Scott told residents: "I am advised by WDC Officers that I have a personal and therefore possible prejudicial interest in the application because of my relationship with the applicants.

"As a result, I, as the ward councillor, am therefore unable to call this application to the planning committee for a decision.

"However, given the fact this application is in a conservation area and the strong level of objection from local residents, officers have agreed to my request that the application be considered by the full planning committee in due course."