MANY local residents will have made legitimate objections to major planning applications and will have found that the (Taunton Deane Borough Council) planning committee ignores their views and gives in to the developers on every issue.

Some councillors explain that they would like to take residents' views into consideration but the system forces them to bow to the developers.

You would think that the chairman of the planning committee would at least sympathize and understand why residents are so frustrated and agree with Councillor Alan Weddercop that the system is broken and needs reform at Government level, but no, according to chairman, Councillor Bowrah, anyone who wants to change the broken planning system to give more influence to local residents and less to the developers is indulging in a "political rant".

Any planning committee member who listens to residents rather than developers is of "no use" because they would "lay down at the first protester to say boo".

What an appalling attitude from the councillor who leads our local planning process.

READ MORE: Planning committee chairman 'disgusted' at planning 'rant' in letter

Councillor Bowrah was elected to serve the interests of the local residents of Taunton Deane, including those who desperately need affordable housing.

Yet his committee regularly allows developers to get away with wriggling out of conditions already agreed, without a single word of protest or regret from the chairman.

Well, he has finally given us his views.

The system which allows such travesties is fine.

Councillor Bowrah is "absolutely disgusted" if other councillors, like Alan Weddercop, want to change it and stand up for other residents.

Like Alan, I'm a Liberal Democrat, I believe in fairness and equality within our society.

I believe that where we see unfairness and bad practice, we should try to influence change for the better.

PAT COLES
Gaunton Close
Taunton