REFER to two letters in the BEN on February 21, from Mr Walmsley and Mrs Kenyon, concerning the Government's new target for 90 per cent of planning applications to be delegated to officers to decide, and 10 per cent by the Planning Committee.

Let me make it perfectly clear that councillors from all parties are firmly opposed to such a mandatory target set on a national basis. A 90 per cent delegation target would undermine the role of local democracy and remove decision-making from the democratically elected bodies.

Clearly, with about 2,000 planning applications a year in Bolton there does need to be delegation of decision-making to officers of the more minor and non-contentious applications, otherwise the whole planning system would simply snarl up (unless the Planning Committee sits in permanent session!).

It is vital, however, that the more significant and contentious applications continue to come to the Committee for decision.

I also note that Mr Walmsley appears to assume the Council has closed its mind to the possibility of public speaking on applications at committee meetings. This is not the case.

We are currently considering the pro's and con's of this, and have already visited Bury's and Wigan's Planning Committees to see how it is managed in these authorities.

We need to ensure the community have the opportunity to have their views properly aired.

Councillor Prentice Howarth,

Chair -- Planning

& Highways Committee,

Bolton Council.