Southend Council has denied there was a conflict of interest in two of its representatives sitting on the judging panel that chose a controversial design for a landmark Shoebury building.

Anna Waite, who was then the council's leader, and Steve Kearney, the council's head of design, were among those who chose the twisted tower block Green Mark from a shortlist of seven designs for the Garrison development.

But Mrs Waite said the council's involvement did not mean the design would automatically win approval from the development control committee.

She said: "I in no way said it would give planning consent or should get planning consent."

Mrs Waite is expected to be the Conservative candidate in St Luke's ward at this year's local elections and said she would declare an interest when a planning application is discussed, if she wins a seat.

She added: "I haven't approved it from a planning point of view. I merely said that was the best one."

She added her former role as Tory leader did not mean she influenced her party colleagues on planning decisions.

Mrs Waite said: "In the Conservative group we take a very strong line. We never discuss planning issues."

While Mr Kearney will advise councillors who decide whether to grant planning permission for the 19-storey tower, the council claimed this did not present any conflict of interest.

Southend Council spokesman, Michael Smith, said: "In terms of planning applications, the head of design and resource performance does not make decisions per se. He or she advises specially trained councillors on the architectural qualities of an application."

Mike Assenheim, chairman of the Coalition of Borough Residents' Associations, said: "Anything like this should be done by an independent judging panel.

"I don't think anyone connected with the council should have made this decision and I think members of the public should have been on the panel."