MY wife Sarah and I signed a petition instigated by the Yorkshire Association of Local Councils asking for parish councils to be given the right to appeal against planning decisions.

Although the Government does not agree with the petition, its positive response is that anyone, especially parish and town councils, can, if dissatisfied with a planning decision, approach Her Majesty’s Planning Inspectorate in Bristol at no cost.

I wish to stress the importance the Government sees in the input into the planning system of local people and in this context I wish to highlight a petition signed by more than 150 local people against the proposed development on an environmentally-important site near the Leyburn Medical Centre on Brentwood, as well as the proposed demolition and redevelopment of Brentwood Lodge with the loss of green space and medical facilities.

Several hundred Leyburn people objected at a public meeting called by the Friends of Brentwood Lodge Group.

Due to the existence of a prior commercial agreement, I believe this proposal should be referred to the Secretary of State for a planning decision.

Furthermore, it has been said that the local highway authorities are paying insufficient attention to speeding and are allowing some roads to become congested, which has a detrimental effect on safety and the environment.

In view of Government policy on planning and development, I urge all public bodies to follow Government guidelines and not just dismiss local opinions or pay lip service to it through procedural niceties.

Equally, I would encourage all local councillors to listen carefully to local opinion.

While we are in need of housing and employment development, it should not under any circumstances be used as an excuse for a “free for all”.

I wish to praise Richmondshire District Council for having been very receptive towards working with local communities – long may that co-operation continue – and Leyburn Town Council is now engaging in a Leyburn Town Plan.

Cllr Bernard Borman, Leyburn