THE CURRENT chairman of the Powys County Council planning committee, Cllr David Price, is under investigation for possibly flouting caravan site licensing regulations and planning conditions.

Cllr David Price who represents Llanafanfawr has just been made High Sheriff of Powys and faces re-election (Thursday May 17) to the planning chair a post which is worth around £9,000 on top of the basic councillors salary of £13,400 (expected to go up to £13,600).

Powys County Council confirmed that they had received a complaint and were now conducting an investigation.

Allegations were made against Cllr Price as other caravan park site owners in the area had their land and site licences scrutinised in the run up to this years Royal Welsh Show and Urdd Eisteddfod when visitors flock to the area,

In discussions with one owner who felt they had been singled for a visit, it was suggested that officers have a look at Cllr Price's farm.

At Noyadd Farm, near Builth Wells Cllr Price and his family do have camping pitches, but are allowed only five.

Correspondences by Powys Council officers shown to The County Times reveal that they were now going to look in to Cllr Price's site.

One email said: "During one of our meetings it was suggested that we ought to take a look at The Noyadd, which is Cllr Price’s farm, he doesn’t have a site licence , but we understood that he has been operating under the Caravan Club, which allows him to have a site exempt from licensing for up to five pitches.

"It was suggested that he accommodates more than five caravans, and it would appear that this might well be the case, in which case it should be licensed and have planning."

Whe n the allegations were put to Cllr Price, he said: "I know absolutely nothing on this."

Councillors on the planning committee have told The County Times that the chairman of the committee needs to be seen as "whiter than white."

Cllr Gwilym Williams, who is on the planning committee, said: "Anyone who chairs the planning committee should abide by all the planning rules."

A spokesman for Powys County Council, said: "The council can confirm that it has received a complaint that is being investigated.

"We cannot comment further until the investigation is complete."