A district councillor has apologised for breaking a local authority’s code of conduct after lobbying a planning committee over a neighbour’s extension.

Andrew Hodgson, South Oxfordshire’s district councillor for Wheatley and Horspath, said he acted naively when he handed a letter to fellow councillors objecting to plans for 51 Crown Road, Wheatley.

Owners Tim and Claire Davis submitted a planning application in March last year to demolish their bungalow and replace it with a detached two storey house.

Following an investigation, SODC said the Conservative councillor’s letter — which used the greeting “dear colleagues” and was also marked private and confidential — tried to persuade planning committee members to refuse permission for the extension and breached the council’s code.

While he can oppose a planning application like any other resident, he cannot use his position as a councillor in any way which might influence colleagues.

The council’s standards committee said he should be censured and asked him to write to the chairman of the council’s planning committee to apologise.

Mr Hodgson had argued he was acting in his personal capacity to exert his rights as an individual.

This week, he told the Oxford Mail in a letter that the complaint over his behaviour had led to 12 unpleasant months for him and his family.

He said: “Whilst I am certain that my intention was never to gain an unfair advantage, with hindsight I can now see the impression, however small, that could have been created.

“It is vital that the public have the utmost confidence in local councillors and I regret that my actions have led to that confidence being compromised.

“As a new councillor, I was too naive to understand the implications of the words I chose in my letter to members of the planning committee.

“I apologise unreservedly to all those involved and I fully accept and will act upon the findings of the board.

“I have learnt an important lesson and I will redouble my efforts to ensure I never again fall short of the standards demanded of me as Wheatley and Horspath's district councillor.

“I believe that the matter is now closed.”