AN inspector has criticised a council's "blatant disregard" for planning procedures after an inquiry into camping at a country park.

Local government ombudsman Patricia Thomas said Scarborough Borough Council was guilty of poor administration after wrongly granting permission for an extension to its own camping site.

An overflow site, to be used only at peak times, was granted at Filey Brigg Caravan and Camping Park, at Filey Country Park, in December 2003.

However, the ombudsman found the council had:

* Failed to consult an advisory group for local parks before granting permission.

* Started work on the extension before permission had been granted.

* Wrongly explained to the relevant committee what was proposed.

* Failed to explain clearly to the committee that the application breached two local plan policies.

Mrs Thomas said: "The ombudsman expected the council, as district planning authority, to set a good example to all developers in its area when dealing with its own (proposed) developments.

"But it was found that, in this case, it had shown blatant disregard for almost all the key points of the planning process, legislation and guidance."

The council has accepted the ombudsman's findings and has agreed not to use the overflow area until the planning position has been resolved.

Councillor David Jeffels, cabinet member for tourism, leisure and community services, said: "Tourism is highly valued as a key contributor to the vitality of the borough.

"First impressions are vital, and it was against this background that the unfortunate breaches occurred.

"That is not to excuse the actions of the council, but to recognise that the situation was a difficult one of balancing the satisfaction of customers with the need to work within the planning framework."