POLICE have launched an investigation after a council planning meeting descended into chaos amid reports of assault and vandalism.

The Hambleton District Council meeting at the Civic Centre, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, had to be adjourned while members checked their cars for damage after an objector to a controversial application had two tyres slashed.

Earlier, CCTV operators at the centre alerted police to an alleged assault in the car park.

The meeting had been discussing an application by developer Peter Howell, from Stockton, to make alterations to a £350,000 house built without planning permission, in Ingleby Arncliffe, near Northallerton.

He has been refused planning consent four times, had two appeals dismissed, and has been ordered to demolish the five-bedroom home, at Green Gates.

Yesterday, the committee added to his woes when they refused permission for the house to be converted into a dormer bungalow.

During the consideration of a later item, the meeting was informed that two tyres on a van belonging to objector Steve Libby, who lives next to Green Gates, had been slashed.

Ian Stevenson, the chairman of Ingleby Arncliffe Parish Council, then alleged he had been involved in an altercation with Mr Howell's son, Simon, in the council car park.

Coun Stevenson said afterwards: "They seem to be blaming me, but I do not make the cannonballs, I just throw them."

However, Simon Howell denied any assault had taken place. He said: "I did say a few words to him, but I did not put a finger on him." He also denied any knowledge of tyres being slashed.

His father said: "I hope that this unfortunate incident will demonstrate the frustration we are going through. Everything we apply for is knocked back."

He said he plans to complain to the Local Government Ombudsman over the council's handling of the case.

The aftermath of the incident was filmed by an ITV television crew producing a documentary on planning enforcement. It is due to be screened in the autumn.

Steve Quartermain, the council's director of planning and environmental services, said: "Fortunately, such instances are rare but, nonetheless, very distressing for everyone involved."

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Police said: "At 10.45am, we were called by a CCTV operator who reported an alleged assault at the Civic Centre.

"At 11.30am, we were called by a member of the public reporting criminal damage to a motor vehicle.

"Inquiries are continuing."