Controversial police chief Richard Brunstrom wastes £40,000 in failed bid to install needle vending machine

Most of the money went on lawyers' fees for a public inquiry into the vending machine which he wanted to put on the back wall of a police station at Colwyn Bay in North Wales.

County council planners and the town council had unanimously turned down the idea, pointing out that local chemists already had a needle scheme and that there was massive public opposition.

In addition to the £40,000, the Welsh Assembly paid £10,000 for the machine, of a type used in Australia, although the Department of Health has never made an assessment.

Planning inspector Iwan Lloyd said in his report: "From what I have heard and read, the public apprehension of this development and the fear of crime and disorder in the area is not baseless.

"The fear and apprehension of crime and disorder is a determinative factor, which outweighs all other considerations in this appeal.

"The proposal would harm the living conditions of neighbouring residents and the amenities of the occupiers and patrons of the nearby business and community uses."

Mr Brunstrom, who recently caused a storm by claiming ecstasy was safer than aspirin and who wants all drugs legalised, had infuriated opponents of the scheme by describing them as "intolerant NIMBYS."

In a statement the force said : "North Wales Police, on behalf of the Conwy Substance Misuse Action Team, note and accept the decision of the planning Inspectorate. The future of the needle dispensing machine will now be resolved by the Conwy Substance Misuse Action Team.

"North Wales Police will make no further comment on the matter."

Yesterday Clwyd West Tory MP David Jones described the appeal as "a worrying waste of public money."

He added : "I'm very pleased the inspector has decided to refuse the appeal. A lot of my constituents will feel very relieved. This whole episode has caused a considerable amount of expense to council taxpayers."

He was surprised that the machine had been bought before planning permission was given, and when there had been no assessment by the Department of Health.

Darren Millar, Conservative member of the Welsh Assembly for Clwyd West commented : "This is wonderful news for local democracy. There has been overwhelming opposition from elected representatives and the public to this ridiculous proposal. This matter should never have reached this stage and should have been dropped a long time ago.

"Questions now need to be answered about why so many public resources were invested in this protracted process against the wishes of local people."

It was the town council which discovered, from a Freedom of Information request, that the decision to appeal had been made by members of the Substance Misuse Action Team - with no elected members - in an email consultation.

The appeal was then lodged in the name of North Wales police.