Tewkesbury Borough Council’s planning chairman John Evetts has tendered his resignation from the committee.
Conservative Councillor Evetts (Isbourne) , 71, who has chaired the planning committee for 16 years, is accused of breaching planning laws at his grade II listed historic Cotswolds farmhouse.
He appeared at Gloucester Crown Court on June 10 and pleaded not guilty to carrying out unlawful works to Middle Hill Farm, Saintbury, near Broadway.
“I have already tendered my resignation as chair of planning,” he said.
“I will remove myself from the planning committee until such a time that it is resolved.
“If I’m found guilty I will then resign from the council, if I’m found not guilty as I believe I will be, I can resume my seat on the planning committee. And if the planning committee wishes to re-elect me as chair they can do so.”
Cllr Evetts is due to stand trial on January 23 in Cirencester.
By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk
Original post on the Gloucestershire News Centre website
Gloucestershire News Centre