A COUNCILLOR whose furious outburst brought a Stockton planning meeting to a dramatic end has apologised for his actions.

Coun John Fletcher said he acted in the heat of the moment after a U-turn decision by the planning committee last Friday.

"I apologise profusely," he told the D&S Times. "My annoyance probably reflected the strength of feeling on this issue."

In amazing scenes, Coun Fletcher scattered agenda papers and stormed up and down the town hall debating chamber.

Beside himself with anger, he also stalked over to the authority's legal adviser and said the council had been badly served by the legal team.

When asked to leave by committee vice-chairman, Coun Dick Cains, he screamed: "I will not leave this chamber."

He also warned he would bring in the ombudsman over the decision to approve a plan for a restaurant just outside Yarm.

The same scheme had previously been thrown out by the committee.

But it had been brought back over a complaint about a declaration of interest by Coun Fletcher, who represents Egglescliffe ward.

Last Friday, he was not allowed to speak or vote on the application.

While he was outside, however, the applicant was invited to address the committee and members subsequently approved the scheme.

Approval came even though the applicant said a scaled-down version of the plan was on its way through the planning process.

On hearing the decision, Coun Fletcher exploded. After several minutes of pandemonium and with help from colleagues, Coun Fletcher resumed his seat.

But Coun Cains decided to abandon the meeting.

Stockton council leader Coun Bob Gibson said: "Coun Fletcher's outburst was unbecoming and unnecessary and his attack on the council's legal adviser was nothing short of disgraceful."