A planning officer facing possible disciplinary action for moonlighting when he carried out unauthorised improvements to a house without planning permission has resigned, The Royal Gazette has learned.

It is not known whether Austin Simons' resignation will affect disciplinary proceedings which the Planning Department may have taken against him for breaching civil service rules.

The Royal Gazette revealed in April that Mr. Simons, the Planning Inspector for Devonshire, worked on the sprawling Devonshire home of Bermuda Housing Corporation (BHC) property officer Terrance Smith, for which there was no planning permission.

Environment Permanent Secretary Brian Rowlinson said in April he was "very disappointed and very angry" that Mr. Simons had carried out the work without permission from the department, which he said cast a shadow over the reputation of the Planning Department.

The work involved a 180 square foot extension of a master bedroom and garage roof frame at Mr. Smith's house in Tee Street, Devonshire, which was carried out without planning permission. Mr. Smith was later given retroactive planning permission.

An investigation into the matter was launched by Director of Planning Rudolph Hollis, but it is not known what stage the inquiry had reached and what recommendations were made by Mr. Hollis.

Mr. Smith's name emerged in connection with the BHC scandal this year when a contractor alleged his company was kicked off BHC jobs after asking Mr. Smith for payment for work carried out on his house in Tee Street.

The company, SOHO Applications, is suing Mr. Smith for alleged non-payment of the money.

Acting Director of Planning Larry Williams told The Royal Gazette yesterday: "Yes, I can confirm, he (Mr. Simons) has resigned."

When asked what would happen about possible disciplinary action, he said: "I cannot answer that. I was not party to that."

Mr. Simons did not return a call to The Royal Gazette for comment by press time yesterday.

In April when the story broke, Mr. Rowlinson said: "This is a very serious matter. I can assure you it is being fully investigated and prompt action will be taken.

"I am very disappointed and very angry that Mr. Simons unnecessarily put himself into a situation that impugns his reputation and the reputation of the (Civil) Service, his Department and his colleagues."

Auditor General Larry Dennis has completed his inquiry into allegations of massive over-payment to some contractors, kickbacks and corruption at BHC.

He said he had taken legal advice from Director of Public prosecutions Khamisi Tokunbo not to make his report to the House of Assembly public because it could jeopardise any criminal prosecutions which may arise out of his investigation.