The chief executive of Thanet council will be away from her desk for at least another four weeks.

Sue McGonical was signed off in June and Madeline Homer, who is the council’s director of community services, will continue to be acting chief executive.

The council is investigating events surrounding a planning application, which focus on plans to build several hundred homes at a business park.

The proposal came from East Kent Opportunities, a partnership between Thanet council and Kent County Council.

Dr McGonigal, who earns £110,000 a year, is a member of the board of East Kent Opportunities. The application was eventually refused by the council last year.

The council said in June the investigation into the planning application had to follow official processes and it would not comment on progress.

In an email informing councillors of the development last week, Mrs Homer says:
“I will remain as acting chief executive in Sue’s absence. Interim arrangements have also been put in place for Paul Cook to provide strategic SMT support for housing and planning during this period.”