SIR – I can reassure Mr. Pashley (Letters, September 21) that the planning process at Bradford Council is democratic.

Councillors do make decisions, after consultation with local people and after receiving advice from officers about whether planning applications comply with national planning law, national planning guidance and local planning policy documents.

Officers using delegated powers can take decisions on minor planning applications, but councillors are usually involved in planning decisions on major development schemes.

Planning decisions directly affect people’s lives and are often complex and difficult, involving conflicting interests and priorities. Residents understandably have strong and sometimes opposing views about many planning applications, but we do always endeavour to take residents’ views into account when making our decisions. It is not always the case that following consideration of all relevant information and planning issues, councillors agree with the officers’ recommendations. As councillors, we have to look at a wide range of issues and seek to arrive at a balanced decision.

I would like to thank Mr Pashley for his kind words about me. I am confident that councillors on planning committee will make their decisions only after full consideration of the views expressed through consultation and within the statutory planning framework.

Coun Val Slater, portfolio holder for Housing and Planning, Bradford Council