A criticism of the Planning Bill, at the 'white-paper' stage, featured in the Winter edition of the Newsletter. Further scrutiny reveals that the little-advertised sub-clauses 154 and 155 to Clause 150 in the Bill remove the right of appeal to an independent Inspector against refusals determined by officers under delegated powers. Refusals can be reconsidered by a Local Members Review Body comprising district councillors, if requested. Applications dealt with under delegated represent over 90% of all applications. This clause has been strongly opposed by the RTPI, RIBA, RICS and national amenity and conservation societies. It would appear to be against natural justice. At present the main parliamentary opposition does not propose to challenge the clause. The views of Taplow Parish Council have been made known to the constituency member of parliament.
Bernard Trevallion
