There are three questions to answer.
1. Is it consistent with local and national planning policy?
2. If the same development proposal on the same site had been submitted by an independent private applicant would the outcome likely have been the same?
3. Was proper process followed?
If the answer to 1. AND one or both of 2. and 3. is no, get it challenged in the courts. If not, I’m afraid there is nothing to see.