Planners reject Flint's comments

Caroline Flint's comments that councils do not need a chief planning officer in their senior management teams have angered planners.

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) took offence at the planning minister's remarks when she gave evidence to a parliamentary inquiry into planning skills.

But the Department for Communities & Local Government said: "The minister simply said it was for councils to decide how to organise their services and who should be on their senior team."

RTPI policy director Rynd Smith said: "Without the well considered input of a senior and professionally qualified planner, the ability of local authorities to make good planning decisions is hugely diminished.