AS chairman of the planning committee I have received many letters of protest about a proposed housing development at 353 Bury Road, Tottington.

It would not be possible to reply to them all so may I, through the Letters page, say to all those who have written that I will, as always, ensure that the committee considers your comments when the application is dealt with.

May I also offer this information to the public who may contact any councillor on the planning committee over a planning application.

The report of the Nolan Committee on Standards in Public Office suggested that councillors who gave a public indication of the way they might feel about an application before it goes to committee could be seen to be pre-judging the merits of the case. This would oblige them to declare that view at the committee meeting and such a declaration could prevent them from voting. The public should not therefore be disappointed if they receive a "no comment" reply from members of the committee in such circumstances.

COUNCILLOR A. K. MATTHEWS,

chairman,

planning committee Bury MBC.

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