A LONG-RUNNING planning saga became heated when allegations against a councillor had to be removed from a council website.
The row relates to an application by Robin Blackham to refurbish the empty Oak Room pub at Newton-by-Tattenhall lodged with Cheshire West and Chester Council.
The plans also involve building extensions for a shop – including a post office – and bed and breakfast accommodation plus 31 dwellings.
Mr Blackham’s father-in-law Tony Ord, who supports the project, made allegations about the conduct of a councillor in comments submitted to the council website as part of the consultation. Similar comments were made by another member of the public.
Mr Ord has also submitted his remarks to the council’s solutions team and the local government ombudsman as an official complaint. The comments were later removed from the website and described in a press office statement as ‘highly defamatory’.
Mr Ord, from Duckington, near Malpas, is currently on holiday in Ireland. His wife Sheila confirmed a council letter had been received explaining why the comments had been removed but said her husband could back up his claims.
The site has been subject to planning applications dating back to 2008.
Last year a Government inspector rejected an appeal against councillors’ refusal for a scheme to refurbish the pub and build 27 homes despite a recommendation for approval by planning officers.
Inspector Keith Manning concluded the development would be ‘some distance’ from the main part of Tattenhall and the development would not meet local and national planning policies.
Cheshire West and Council spokeswoman Rachel Ashley would not discuss whether the allegations, submitted last Thursday, had triggered an internal investigation.
In a statement, she said: “A representation on the planning application containing highly defamatory and unsubstantiated allegations was removed from the website and will be reinstated with the allegations redacted. We have no further comment.”
She said comments by a second member of the public were being examined by the legal department.
