Calls for a top level investigation into the conduct of Leeds City Council officers at a recent public inquiry appear to have fallen on deaf ears - much to the disappointment of a Wharfedale village.

Pool-in-Wharfedale Parish Council alleged officers in the planning department 'misrepresented' the village at a public inquiry into controversial plans by Redrow Homes for more than 100 houses off Swallow Drive.

They claimed the officers failed to negotiate traffic calming measures or any other benefits for the village and that they were 'destroyed' by Redrow's barristers.

The Parish Council had asked the Council's scrutiny boards to investigate the conduct, but their requests have not been met.

Chairman Councillor Chris Leggatt said that they had received a letter from the panel indicating that no further investigation was required and that it would be inappropriate for the board to look into their claims.

City Councillor Peter Harrand (Cons, Roundhay) then wrote to the board for more information, but received a general reply on planning issues with nothing specific referring to Pool.

Coun Leggatt said: "We were not asking the City Council to appeal against the inspector's decision.

"We know the only way to overturn the decision is by going to the High Court on a point of law."

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