CONCERNS have been raised over the decision by the head of a council's planning department to quit his job to work for a solicitors' firm.

An MP has echoed worries that the move, by Steve Barker, head of planning at Stockton Borough Council, to join Blackett, Hart and Pratt Solicitors, may represent a conflict of interest.

The firm, based in Darlington, has worked as a consultant for developers seeking planning permission for a number of unpopular schemes in the Eaglescliffe and Yarm area.

Many of these developments have seen historic buildings pulled down to make way for flats.

Campaigners and pressure groups have fought a long battle with Stockton council to protect the parish's old buildings, many of them Georgian and Edwardian townhouses.

Following sustained pressure, the council published a planning guidance document earlier this year that it was hoped would help preserve the area's special character.

Mr Barker helped to compile the document, known as an SPG4.

Stockton South MP Dari Taylor said: "I've had assurances there will be no conflict of interest.

"But when you work at an organisation, you take away so much, so that even if he is not involved directly in planning matters relating to Stockton, the concern is he will be involved informally."

Concerns over the appointment were first raised by Norman Douglas, vice-chairman of the Stockton branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), at a public meeting last Friday.

Mr Douglas told the meeting of about 230 local residents: "You cannot have the person who writes the rulebook simultaneously considering joining the developers' consultant."

He said he had worked closely with Mr Barker on the planning guidance document and added: "For this to happen after all that hard work feels like a slap in the face."

Stockton council said it was aware of the concerns that had been raised and it would be giving a full and frank response to the issue today.

Steve Hesmondhalgh, head of town and country planning at Blackett Hart and Pratt, said Mr Barker had told council bosses of the move soon as he was aware of a potential conflict of interest.

He said: "To ensure we fully comply with the Royal Tow Planning Institute controls, Mr Barker will play no part in the development or submission of applications in the Stockton area."