A planning application for a shed caused a row to break out in a Rutland village.

The metal shed, behind St. Nicholas' Church, was intended for storing tables, chairs, decorations, groundskeeping and safety equipment.

The church also serves as a 'community hub', and a meeting place for Stretton Parish Council.

The Parochial Church Council submitted a planning application for the shed (2024/0163/FUL) to Rutland County Council in February.

But some villagers were concerned the shed threatened the stability of an ancient dry stone wall.

In the light of 38 complaints, members of Stretton Parish Council withdrew support for the project, and Rutland County Council refused the planning application on 24 May.

Following this, villager, Kevin Hawkes, accused the chairman of Stretton Parish Council, Greg Harker, of misrepresenting the interests of the parish council.

In a complaint to solicitor, Sarah Khwaja, head of legal and democratic services at Rutland County Council, Mr Hawkes said: "Cllr Harker claimed to Rutland County Council planning department that Stretton Parish Council supported the application, when in fact it had decided not to comment due to many of the members having a conflict of interest.

In an email responding to Mr Hawkes, sent on June 25, the solicitor agreed the statement about the parish council's support for the application was untrue.

She added that the purpose of Cllr Harker's email to the planning department was to secure a waiver of the £216 application fee, which was unsuccessful.

Mr Hawkes has called for Cllr Harker to resign from Stretton Parish Council with immediate effect."

Cllr Harker declined to comment on the matter directly but has said he does not intend to stand for future re-election to the parish council.

Rutland County Council delined to comment on the matter.