COUNCIL chiefs sent managers on a controversial £4,000 adventure training jaunt - only to discover the centre did not have planning permission.

Local taxpayers were furious when an 11-strong group of senior managers spent two nights at a hotel as part of a team-building exercise.

Richmondshire District Council insisted the course had been excellent value.

At the time, the authority had no idea that the company - Adrenalin UK - did not have planning permission for its assault course, command task area and paint ball arena.

Now councillors are to be asked to grant the facility retrospective planning permission.

It was only when head of planning Patrick Earle raised the issue during the council's course that the oversight came to light. As a result, Adrenalin has submitted a formal application for its facilities at Black Plantation on the Aske Hall estate.

The authority's environment committee has been asked to vote on the application on Tuesday evening.

A separate bid for a paintball operation at Gilling Wood, less than a mile from Black Plantation, was rejected in 1991 as planners felt it was unsuitable for the area.

The Council for the Protection of Rural England is also urging the council to reject the retrospective application, while the Yorkshire Gardens Trust describes development of the wood as "regrettable".

Nevertheless, planning officers are recommending Adrenalin is given the all-clear to continue on the site, with conditions.

Yesterday, the district council's chief executive, Harry Tabiner, said: "It wasn't until officers went on the team-building exercise that we were aware the structures had been built - nor could we have been, bearing in mind they are built on a private estate, shielded from the road by dense woodland.

"As soon as we became aware planning permission had not be sought, we asked the company to rectify the situation."