National Park head suspended while planning probe continues

The chief executive of the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority has been suspended for an initial period of up to two months while an internal inquiry into the way the body carried out its planning functions is pursued.

The decision to suspend Christopher Gledhill was taken at an extraordinary general meeting of the authority. He will remain on full pay while the probe continues.

Earlier this year an inquiry revealed serious problems with the way a planning application for a caravan park at Gilestone Park in Talybont-on-Usk, near Brecon, had been handled. Papers from that inquiry have been passed to Dyfed-Powys Police who are conducting their own investigation.

Mary Taylor, chairman of the authority said: "Following the review of a number of external and internal investigations examining the leadership of the authority and the management of planning services, members of the National Park Authority have today agreed to the suspension of the chief executive Christopher Gledhill.  I would like to emphasise that the suspension is not an indication of wrongdoing and is meant only to ensure that continuing investigations remain neutral.

"Whilst ongoing investigations into the management of this authority continue I would like to take this opportunity to reassure our communities that the officers and members of this authority continue to work extremely hard to deliver our services."

In the meantime John Cook, the director of countryside at the National Park since October 2007, has been appointed acting chief executive.

Read the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority press release.

Roger Milne

18 September 2008