THE Labour MP for Ilkley, Ann Cryer, is calling for an

explanation from the Government over why developers are allowed to 'threaten' local authorities into granting

planning permission for controversial developments.

She wants planning Minister Nick Raynsford to explain why developers are allowed to use the 'twin-track' approach to force through planning decisions.

With controversial developments, where there are a lot of objections and investigations to be made, developers can appeal to the Department of the Environment if the decision is not taken within a short time.

If the local authority loses the appeal and the plan is allowed, the substantial cost of the appeal has to come out of council

coffers.

In a letter to Mr Raynsford, Mrs Cryer tells him that the 'twin-track' application plus appeal approach, although popular with developers, seems a waste of public money.

She says: "How can developers do this on the assumption that by going to appeal they can hold the threat of substantial costs over local authorities in order to

pressure planners to make

concessions.

"These developers stand to make a large profit at the public's expense and don't mind riding roughshod over the wishes of local people."

Mrs Cryer said she had seen the practice repeatedly in her constituency with developers eventually getting their way.

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