Letter to Charles Walker MP, Sent 15 October 2012

House of Commons

London

SW1A 0AA

Attn: Charles Walker MP

15 October 2012

Dear Sir,

Re: Local Authority Planning, Questionable Impartiality.

Local authorities must constantly seek extra revenue due to the ravages of a usury finance system. Granting planning permission for development generates extra income. Hypothetically if permission were granted for around fifty properties:

1. The planning process of outline and full planning would generate £17,420 for the authority. A service that, a few decades ago, was free and an integral part of the former rating system that cost residents very little.
2. Section 106 stipulates a one off fee of £3000 per additional bedroom on new developments, to be paid by the developer.   
3. Upon completion of properties, additional council tax of an average £1500 per household would generate approximately £75000 pa income for the council.
4. Broxbourne Services, the privatised part of Broxbourne Council, responsible for profiteering from household waste. An extra 50 properties would be very cost effective.
5. Local authorities are responsible for generating revenue from car parking charges, issuing parking fines etc. Councils may soon be responsible for profiteering from traffic violations. An increased local population would statistically raise further revenue.
6. A fair percentage of council tax payment now contributes to council employee pensions. Increasing the local population would raise the pension contribution.
7. Admittedly with increased population there would be higher overheads but along with this there would be profitable opportunities for areas of council services that have now been privatised.  Hence reason council tax has approximately doubled since 1997 in order to finance the profits of nominated contractors. 

It appears advantageous for local authorities to grant planning permission in order to generate extra income for themselves as well as their nominated sub-contractors. I therefore fail to see how the planning process can be impartial and democratic?

I look forward to your reply,

Yours faithfully without frivolity, ill-will or vexation,

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