THE head of a council's planning department has defended his decision to leave his post and join a law firm that works for developers seeking planning permission.

As reported in The Northern Echo yesterday, Stephen Barker, head of Stockton Borough Council's planning department, is to join Blackett, Hart and Pratt Solicitors.

MP Dari Taylor said the move represented a potential conflict of interest, because the Darlington law firm worked as a consultant for developers on a number of schemes in the Stockton area.

However, Mr Barker said yesterday the criticism of him was unwarranted. He said: "From the moment I considered leaving, I have taken no part in dealing with any applications from my new company."

Mr Barker also received support from Neil Schneider, the council's corporate director of development and neighbourhood Services, who said: "Upon Mr Barker entering negotiations regarding his career move, he quite properly formally advised the council of such, and it was agreed from that point that Mr Barker's professional code of conduct, which provides guidance in these areas, would be followed scrupulously by both parties, with Mr Barker taking no part whatsoever in any discussions or processes where there could be any conflict of interest."

Mr Barker also hit back at critics of the move, including Norman Douglas, of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, who called the move "a slap in the face" for local residents who were fighting to protect areas of Yarm and Eaglescliffe from developers.

He said: "I can assure Mr Douglas and others that I have no desire to propose further flats and apartments in Eaglescliffe."

However, Mr Douglas last night defended his criticisms. He also called for a clause in the contract of senior planners stopping them from leaving to join firms operating in the same area.