RECENTLY you published a letter from Cllr Richard Morris in which he expressed his dismay about the disregard by the planning authorities of the strong objections raised by residents and others to planning proposals.

I share his concern as, no doubt, do many others.

It has been apparent for a long time that the farce of "planning consultations" with the people upon whom they wish to foist their unwelcome schemes are nothing more than an ointment to soothe local feelings.

Such arrogance appears to be a fundamental requirement of their operating system.

May I give you an example?

Just before Cllr Morris's letter appeared I talked with one of his fellow councillors about an article which had appeared a few days earlier in a number of national dailies.

Apparently, John Prescott, no less, had issued instructions that in future no development of green field sites of more than 150 houses would be permitted without reference to his department for approval.

I offered the opinion that this was an overdue, but very welcome curb upon the activities of developers who would try to build on anything, given the chance, that wasn't actually moving.

How naive can one be? My councillor friend then said that once the original application had been granted an immediate application would be made for the next tranche, and so on.

Attempts by town and district councils to prevent this happening would undoubtedly result in appeal after appeal through the legal system. This tactic is designed to sap the will of the councils who are constrained by the limitations of the public purse. Better by far that Mr Prescott had added that after the first approval no more applications for that site would be considered under any circumstances in less than five years.

George Price,

Lahn Drive,

Droitwich Spa.