FORMER COUNCIL BOSS LODGES GARAGE PLANS
6 April 2006
Former Swansea Council boss Tim Thorogood is fighting to keep the garage that cost him his job, the Post can exclusively reveal. The ex-chief executive for Swansea Council is applying for retrospective planning permission for the garage he built at his Broad Park home.
Mr Thorogood had to leave his £120,000-a-year post after becoming embroiled in a row over the development.
He and his wife Alison were given planning permission for the new building at his luxury Broad Park home in Rhossili back in January 2005.
He later applied for and won retrospective permission after complaints about the size of the building.
But a formal investigation was launched last year after further allegations claiming the workshop was being used as accommodation with kitchen and sleeping facilities, complete with ensuite bathroom.
It also came to light that Mrs Thorogood, who works for Neath Port Talbot Council, had been making enquiries about advertising a holiday home on the council's tourism website.
After an extensive investigation, Mr Thorogood handed in his resignation in February and stayed out of the spotlight, refusing to answer any questions on the matter.However, the Evening Post has discovered that Mr Thorogood will fight to keep the two-storey garage that lead to him standing down.
He submitted new plans on March 21 to Swansea Council to retain the existing building.Council officials have said that they will be treating the matter like any other planning application.
A spokesman said: "We are unable to comment on the matter for the time being. The planning application is still in the early stages at present."Although no final date for a decision is set, it is expected that the application will go before committee members in late April.
Gower Society spokesman Malcolm Ridge said: "The garage that he has built, along with the facilities it holds, will add a considerable sum to the value of his home.
"He must be made accountable for his actions. He should be made to revert the garage to the original plans that were passed.
"If this is allowed, it would set a terrible example to others."
Former Swansea Council boss Tim Thorogood is fighting to keep the garage that cost him his job, the Post can exclusively reveal. The ex-chief executive for Swansea Council is applying for retrospective planning permission for the garage he built at his Broad Park home.
Mr Thorogood had to leave his £120,000-a-year post after becoming embroiled in a row over the development.
He and his wife Alison were given planning permission for the new building at his luxury Broad Park home in Rhossili back in January 2005.
He later applied for and won retrospective permission after complaints about the size of the building.
But a formal investigation was launched last year after further allegations claiming the workshop was being used as accommodation with kitchen and sleeping facilities, complete with ensuite bathroom.
It also came to light that Mrs Thorogood, who works for Neath Port Talbot Council, had been making enquiries about advertising a holiday home on the council's tourism website.
After an extensive investigation, Mr Thorogood handed in his resignation in February and stayed out of the spotlight, refusing to answer any questions on the matter.However, the Evening Post has discovered that Mr Thorogood will fight to keep the two-storey garage that lead to him standing down.
He submitted new plans on March 21 to Swansea Council to retain the existing building.Council officials have said that they will be treating the matter like any other planning application.
A spokesman said: "We are unable to comment on the matter for the time being. The planning application is still in the early stages at present."Although no final date for a decision is set, it is expected that the application will go before committee members in late April.
Gower Society spokesman Malcolm Ridge said: "The garage that he has built, along with the facilities it holds, will add a considerable sum to the value of his home.
"He must be made accountable for his actions. He should be made to revert the garage to the original plans that were passed.
"If this is allowed, it would set a terrible example to others."
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