Mr. Philip Jones:

That money should be ring-fenced within the local authority for the planning service, not to go off to help sewerage schemes or things like that. The regulator was pretty clear on that and we share his view. A planning application is made by an applicant who, if he or she gets planning permission, stands to benefit handsomely from that decision. People writing in saying they are concerned does not gain any money - or should not, unless it is vexatious - as a result of making that objection. In other words, it costs them in time and a very small amount but they should not be penalised because then you are putting a price on a democratic right.