A PARISH councillor has been ordered to make a formal, public apology to a landowner for trespassing on his land during a planning application bid.
Roy Hart, of Rettendon Parish Council, was found to have breached the councillor's Code of Conduct at a meeting of the Governance Committee last night (October 1) after trespassing on land belonging to David Bishop in July last year, during consultation for a planning application.
Mr Hart returned alone to the land belonging to Mr Bishop the day after a formal visit to look at the site for a planned equestrian centre to take further measurements, a visit he claimed he believed he had permission for.
However following evidence provided by appointed investigator Brian Keane that such permission could not have been provided, the committee found Mr Hart in breach of the Code, and ordered him to make a formal, public apology to Mr Bishop at the next suitable meeting of Rettendon Parish Council.
Mr Hart, who spent a significant amount of money on defending the allegations against him, was also found to have breached the Code of Conduct by applying "irrelevant considerations" to a seperate application for a hay barn, also submitted by Mr Bishop.
Chairman Paul Hutchinson said: "We would strongly recommend that Rettendon Parish Council arrange a suitable seminar for all members to cover such matters as improving relationships, planning issues and leadership in the community, and we further suggest that the chairman consider what training they might need in carrying out their respective senior leadership roles."
The recommended additional training followed criticism of the level of knowledge of planning matters by investigator Mr Keane.
It is believed that Mr Hart may seek to appeal the decision via further legal redress.
