Peter Pudduck, of Wood Lane, Kingswear, writes: With regard to Cllr Micheal Hicks letter in last week's paper, Cllr Hicks was correct when he said that members of the planning committee have to declare any financial or personal interests prior to an application being considered by the committee. What he did not say was that if the member was not to benefit financially, then that member could still talk and vote on the application, even if it came from a friend, a business associate or a person of the same political persuasion. I do not believe that this is a proper way to consider applications for planning permission. The current system on South Hams Council's development management needs a drastic reform. We have parish councils who look at the local issues, recommendations are sent to South Hams Council, allocated to a professional planning officer, who knows and understand all local and national planning policies. We do not need another layer of people who could be influenced by friends etc, particularly as these people don't usually put their names against their voting actions. I served for six years on Kingswear Parish Council, in the last two years as chairman of its planning committee. If an application was made by a personal friend, I would not attend the site visit and, when it came to the committee meeting, I would leave the room and take no part in the discussions, only returning when a recommendation had been made. I think this system should be mandatory in South Hams Council meetings, thus avoiding claims of nepotism. Or leave planning to the professionals. Having achieved qualifications in planning and being continually updated with revisions in legislation, they are far better placed to do an excellent job.