MALVERN Hills District Council leader David Hughes says his name and reputation has been totally cleared after police said they will not be taking further action over allegations made by a local residents group.

West Mercia Police launched an investigation following a formal complaint by the Alfrick and Lulsley Residents' Group (ALRG) about a planning application on land at Alfrick owned by Cllr Hughes.

A statement released by police on Monday said: "West Mercia Police received a letter of complaint in connection with a planning matter being dealt with by a local council and did look into the matter to establish if there had been any breaches of the law.

"One person was interviewed on a voluntary basis under caution. We can now confirm that our investigation is complete and no police action will be taken."

Cllr Hughes said: "I have been informed by West Mercia Police that it is taking no action against me or any other councillor and I consider my name and reputation totally cleared.

"The original complaint was investigated by the district council monitoring officer, responsible for councillors' behaviour and code of conduct issues, who found that nobody had acted illegally, and that the councillors concerned had sought and taken appropriate legal advice from the council’s solicitor. The allegations were nevertheless reported to the police.

“I find it disappointing that people objecting to a planning application go to such great lengths to try and undermine the normal process of the council and its committees, dealt with in a right and proper manner, by distributing unfounded and damaging falsehoods.

“I am also pleased that district council chief executive Jack Hegarty has also investigated this matter and found no irregularities."

In response, the residents' group says it is preparing to make further complaints to police.

David Flanagan of the group said: "ALRG are aware of fresh allegations from district councillors and Alfrick residents not previously spoken to by the police and which relate to Hughes' conduct. ALRG believe that the police will be obliged to investigate these matters."

A spokesman for Malvern Hills District Council said: “We note the outcome of the police investigation. We will now review our own internal investigation in the light of the police findings.”

The application, by Greenlight Developments, was to build 21 homes on land at Clay Green Farm. The plan was refused by the council's planning committee at a meeting in February.