SIR - Your letters page recently highlighted the number of councillors who abstained on a planning application and questioned their UNwillingness to make a decision.

Councillors fear being dislodged from their allowance and so appease their electorate in such way. The planning process needs to be unencumbered, at the very least councillors who represent the Ward containing the application should stand down, or the Panel should be staffed by educated strong individuals who make a decision without fear or favour.

John Pennington, West Riddlesden Hall, Keighley.