LEDBURY’S deputy mayor Rob Yeoman has denied allegations of misconduct made against him on social media.

He says claims that he acted inappropriately when a council committee discussed plans to build on the town’s cricket club are based on “highly selective evidence”.

Herefordshire Council confirmed this week that there was an error in the meeting's "public speakers list", on February 11, which incorrectly listed Mr Yeoman as an agent for the developer seeking to build 100 houses on the cricket club site, behind the Full Pitcher.

In fact, Mr Yeoman appeared for the cricket club, of which he is chairman, and the "speakers list" was corrected by March 4, when the application for the housing development was reconsidered.

Former town councillor Richard Hadley claimed on Facebook that Cllr Yeoman appeared at a Herefordshire Council planning meeting as an ‘agent’ for the developer.

As Cllr Yeoman is chairman of the club this would have compromised his impartiality, according to Mr Hadley.

But in a statement to Ledbury Town Council last week (April 23), Cllr Yeoman said: "These allegations are based on highly selective evidence and an incomplete presentation of the actual facts.

"I am receiving legal advice on how to proceed to protect my reputation."

Mr Hadley claimed that on February 11 Cllr Yeoman appeared at a Herefordshire Council planning meeting as an agent for the firm seeking to develop homes on the cricket club.

He said a document from the meeting, the ‘speakers list’, appeared to list Mr Yeoman as the "applicants' agent".

But official minutes of the meeting list Mr Yeoman as representing the cricket club, not the developer.

The minutes say: "In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr K Francis of Ledbury Town Council spoke in opposition to the Scheme. Mr I Smethurst, a local resident, spoke in objection. Mr R Yeoman, Chairman of Ledbury Cricket Club, spoke in support."

Cllr Yeoman said: "I have not, and do not have, any financial dealings with the developer, or any other.

"I have worked tirelessly for the sole benefit of Ledbury Cricket Club. I negotiated hard for great facilities at the new ground actually against the interests of the developer.

"As chairman I took time off from work to ensure they had the best chance of success to further cricketing opportunities in the town."

A complaint against Mr Hadley from Cllr Yeoman was recently upheld by the county's monitoring officer.

In the officer's opinion, Mr Hadley's online comments about Cllr Yeoman did not treat him with due respect and courtesy.

He did, though, warn that it could be difficult for others to know if Cllr Yeoman had been acting as a councillor or private individual.

He advised that he clarifies his role whenever there is future discussion about the cricket club, and that he his absent from formal discussions when appropriate.

Mr Hadley, who was a town councillor at the time of the comments, said: "I believe Mr Yeoman may well feel that he has acted within the letter of the law. That is not for me to decide, but it is only fair to expect that he provides a clear and full statement of his interests to local residents."

Ledbury Cricket Club will get a new ground off the Ross Road after moving from their existing ground.