§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on policies relating to contacts between planning offices and applicants. [135388]
§ Ms Beverley HughesPlanning functions must be seen to be carried out with transparency and openness in order to retain public confidence in the decision making process. Planning officers must abide by the local code of conduct prepared by their local authority. The Government endorse the Local Government Association's "Probity in Planning" which recommends the practices and procedures which codes of conduct should cover, including guidance on discussions between planning officials and applicants.