The prime minister has said the government is "monitoring" the situation at Ashfield District Council.

At Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, October 28, Ashfield's Reform UK MP Lee Anderson claimed the authority was being "run by criminals" and asked the government to send in commissioners.

It comes as 10 Ashfield Independents councillors who quit the party have formed a new opposition group, the District Alliance.

Mr Anderson told the Commons: "Coun Hollis and his family keep putting in planning applications which are recommended for refusal by the planning officers, and then, as if by magic, they go to committee and are planned, netting Coun Hollis tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of pounds for him and his family."

The prime minister has said the government is "monitoring" the situation at Ashfield District Council

placeholder image — The prime minister has said the government is "monitoring" the situation at Ashfield District Council

In response, Mr Burnham said the Communities Secretary would meet Mr Anderson to discuss his concerns, adding: "What he has just said in the House is extremely serious. Of course we must have the highest standards of conduct from local authorities and elected councillors, and we are monitoring the situation."

Chad last week reported on a planning application for 84 homes at Teversal. The scheme is facing calls for Government intervention amid concerns about its potential impact on the historic setting of nearby Grade I-listed Hardwick Hall.

A spokesman from Ashfield District Council said: “Council officers provide recommendations in respect of planning applications that are considered by the Planning Committee.

“While Councillors will consider officer recommendations as part of their decision-making, they are not required to follow them.

“The Planning Committee makes the final decision on these applications. Any personal or financial interests in the land or application should be declared by councillors.”