A long-serving planning officer is retiring from Tendring District Council (TDC).

Dick Fletcher joined the Council in 1981 - having previously worked in Lancashire, Berkshire and Leicestershire - and has been at TDC ever since.

He has held various senior professional and managerial posts in Planning Services' development control section and for 20 years oversaw all development proposals in Harwich, Frinton, Manningtree and the rural heartland of the District.

"These have included the large residential areas of Lawford Dale, Turpins Farm, Frinton and Low Road, Dovercourt," said Mr Fletcher.

"I have also been involved in all the residential conversion projects and redevelopment of the four main Maltings in Manningtree and Mistley."

His last role was as Planning Enforcement Manager, rebuilding the Planning Services' enforcement division.

Nick Turner, Chairman of TDC, presented a gift to Mr Fletcher on behalf of the Council to mark his retirement.

"Mr Fletcher has given many years of loyal service to the local community and he will be sorely missed," he said.

"It will be impossible to replace all that experience and knowledge of Tendring. His work will live on and he has helped shape this District."

Cllr Turner added that Mr Fletcher had made an estimated 18,000 planning recommendations and attended more than 500 development and control planning meetings.

Until the last few years Mr Fletcher has lived in Frinton and is a past captain of Frinton Tennis Club, and a member of its squash team.

"Tendring was an unknown entity to me before I moved here but I have grown very fond of its communities, it countryside and coastline - and found it a fine place to live and bring up my family," he added.

"I have had to deal with many controversial projects - both large and small - and many projects which have made a positive addition to the District's economy, heritage and built environment."

Mr Fletcher now intends to spend more time with his wife, Jenny, his family, and pursuing his hobbies of squash, cycling and rambling.

2/6/09