Sir, – May I take this opportunity to set the record straight for all the many people who have written to local newspapers recently about various planning concerns.

In a nutshell:

● It is the local authority, be it county, district or unitary, which is responsible for local planning decisions;
● Parliament has devolved the decision making on planning to the regions and local authorities on behalf of the local community;
● Statutory guidance is issued from Government to the regions, but planning policy is made by the local authority having regard for the local area plan (the Local Development Framework);
● Elected members on a planning authority are given training in the local planning policy and statutory guidance;
● Parish councils are consultees within the process and their opinions, if they are within the planning policy, can be taken into account if the planning authority is agreeable;
● A planning committee/authority can hear the opinion of the locally-elected district or county councillor if the chairman agrees, but is not obliged to act upon it;
● The local Member of Parliament is able to raise concerns of local residents with the locallyelected councillor or council, but is unable to take any part in the process;
● No-one, parish councillor, MP nor any other individual can seek to interfere with the decision of the planning authority at any stage;
● There is a right by the applicant to appeal against the decision made by the local planning authority.

Coun CAROLINE PATMORE County Councillor for the Stillington.

Oulston, York.