EX-CHIEF'S GARAGE SET FOR APPROVAL
1 July 2006
Former Swansea Council boss Tim Thorogood will probably be allowed to keep the converted garage at his Rhossili home, it has emerged.
Tim Thorogood quit his £120,000-a-year post as Swansea Council's chief executive after details of the garage conversion were released.
An official complaint was made when it emerged that Mr Thorogood had added living space to the garage without permission. But he now looks set to be granted retrospective permission, meaning he will be able to keep it.
The only condition is that it is not used for commercial purposes. Planners are recommending councillors grant permission for the changes to remain when they meet next week.
The recommendation has been met with disbelief by Swansea Civic Society.
The Gower Society, the civic society and Rhossili Community Council all raised objections to the use of the garage for living accommodation.
Eirwen Harry of Swansea Civic Society said: "We would urge councillors to reject this application.
"We objected to it before and feel that if it is agreed it sets a precedent for other people to do the same."
The Gower Society said: "This application is particularly sensitive because of its nature and history.
"It is extremely important that no precedent is set by giving retrospective approval that might encourage others to circumvent the planning process and acceptable design in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty."
Councillors who are on the planning committee cannot comment until a decision has been made.
However, Plaid leader Darren Price and ward member Richard Lewis cannot attend next Tuesday's vote and have spoken out.
Councillor Lewis said: "I am absolutely flabbergasted by the recommendation.
"If it is approved by the councillors at Tuesday's meeting then it will set a dreadful precedent for the area.
"It will be a disaster for Gower." Councillor Price said: "It is somewhat bizarre that retrospective planning approval is due to be given to a property extension that caused such political controversy back in December of last year.
"Given the officer's recommendation to this week's Area Two Development control committee it is disappointing in the sense that had the former chief executive simply followed the set procedures then he may well still be in post and we could have avoided a costly re-appointment process and could also have avoided the damaging publicity that followed."
THOROGOOD SAGA SO FAR:
September 3, 2004 - Chief executive Tim Thorogood submits a planning application for a detached garage and workshop and informs department heads.
January 26, 2005 - Permission is granted.August 17, 2005 - He seeks advice about making further changes and is told to submit a fresh application. He does not speak to heads of department.
September 8, 2005 - A second application is submitted but he does not inform department heads. Work is carried out before the application is heard by councillors.
October 18, 2005 - The application is approved, but Rhossili Community Council members point out they would have expected work to be carried out after permission was granted. The Gower Society raised questions about the size and design of the garage and sought assurances it would not be used for residential purposes.
October 20-21, 2005 - Councillor Hague drafts a letter to the chief executive but does not send it. Head of planning Reena Owen tells Mr Thorogood it would have been preferable for him to wait for permission.
November 29, 2005 - Alison Thorogood, Mr Thorogood's wife, asks for advice about advertising a holiday home on the council's tourism website.
December 2, 2005 - An official complaint is lodged alleging planning rules had been broken.
December 5, 2005 - Mr Thorogood is told of the complaint and that the planning department investigation would be carried out. As a result of that inquiry, it was found that a fitted kitchen had been added to the garage and that planning rules had been breached.
December 20, 2005 - Mr Thorogood is suspended, pending an internal inquiry.
January 13, 2006 - His resignation is accepted after a review panel decides Mr Thorogood has a case to answer.
July 2006 - Council officers recommend Mr Thorogood is allowed to keep his converted garage and other changes to his house.
Former Swansea Council boss Tim Thorogood will probably be allowed to keep the converted garage at his Rhossili home, it has emerged.
Tim Thorogood quit his £120,000-a-year post as Swansea Council's chief executive after details of the garage conversion were released.
An official complaint was made when it emerged that Mr Thorogood had added living space to the garage without permission. But he now looks set to be granted retrospective permission, meaning he will be able to keep it.
The only condition is that it is not used for commercial purposes. Planners are recommending councillors grant permission for the changes to remain when they meet next week.
The recommendation has been met with disbelief by Swansea Civic Society.
The Gower Society, the civic society and Rhossili Community Council all raised objections to the use of the garage for living accommodation.
Eirwen Harry of Swansea Civic Society said: "We would urge councillors to reject this application.
"We objected to it before and feel that if it is agreed it sets a precedent for other people to do the same."
The Gower Society said: "This application is particularly sensitive because of its nature and history.
"It is extremely important that no precedent is set by giving retrospective approval that might encourage others to circumvent the planning process and acceptable design in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty."
Councillors who are on the planning committee cannot comment until a decision has been made.
However, Plaid leader Darren Price and ward member Richard Lewis cannot attend next Tuesday's vote and have spoken out.
Councillor Lewis said: "I am absolutely flabbergasted by the recommendation.
"If it is approved by the councillors at Tuesday's meeting then it will set a dreadful precedent for the area.
"It will be a disaster for Gower." Councillor Price said: "It is somewhat bizarre that retrospective planning approval is due to be given to a property extension that caused such political controversy back in December of last year.
"Given the officer's recommendation to this week's Area Two Development control committee it is disappointing in the sense that had the former chief executive simply followed the set procedures then he may well still be in post and we could have avoided a costly re-appointment process and could also have avoided the damaging publicity that followed."
THOROGOOD SAGA SO FAR:
September 3, 2004 - Chief executive Tim Thorogood submits a planning application for a detached garage and workshop and informs department heads.
January 26, 2005 - Permission is granted.August 17, 2005 - He seeks advice about making further changes and is told to submit a fresh application. He does not speak to heads of department.
September 8, 2005 - A second application is submitted but he does not inform department heads. Work is carried out before the application is heard by councillors.
October 18, 2005 - The application is approved, but Rhossili Community Council members point out they would have expected work to be carried out after permission was granted. The Gower Society raised questions about the size and design of the garage and sought assurances it would not be used for residential purposes.
October 20-21, 2005 - Councillor Hague drafts a letter to the chief executive but does not send it. Head of planning Reena Owen tells Mr Thorogood it would have been preferable for him to wait for permission.
November 29, 2005 - Alison Thorogood, Mr Thorogood's wife, asks for advice about advertising a holiday home on the council's tourism website.
December 2, 2005 - An official complaint is lodged alleging planning rules had been broken.
December 5, 2005 - Mr Thorogood is told of the complaint and that the planning department investigation would be carried out. As a result of that inquiry, it was found that a fitted kitchen had been added to the garage and that planning rules had been breached.
December 20, 2005 - Mr Thorogood is suspended, pending an internal inquiry.
January 13, 2006 - His resignation is accepted after a review panel decides Mr Thorogood has a case to answer.
July 2006 - Council officers recommend Mr Thorogood is allowed to keep his converted garage and other changes to his house.
posted by Commentator at 11:00 AM
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