It was always a feature of Adrian Dennis during his years as a councillor that he gave his colleagues the impression that he was right and knew best.

In answer to his letter (Feedback, February 6) may I tell him that he is wrong in almost every respect?

Croydon's record on winning planning appeals is very good and one of the best in London and not as he maintains "appallingly bad".

Furthermore, the performance of the planning department has been recognised as excellent by the award of the highest planning delivery grant in the country.

I don't remember that level of success being achieved during Adrian Dennis' time as chairman and cabinet member.

I am extremely proud of the officers throughout the department for this award and also for the way they have carried out our policies of engaging with residents and their associations.

The planning system was never more accessible than it is today.

The policy of this Conservative administration is for sensitive development, making sure that the character of our borough is maintained and enhanced.

If this means that the committee refuses applications and they go to appeal, so be it. We will always believe that decisions should be made by the democratically elected councillors sitting on a planning committee taking into account the views of local residents and not by an inspector from Bristol.

That is why we are starting a borough-wide petition to the Government which we are sure will show the depth of feeling of the residents in this borough that decisions wherever possible should be taken at a local level.

If the planning process is to continue to be a success in this borough, then local residents must be part of the process and not, Mr Dennis, told what they want and what is best for them.

COUNCILLOR CHRIS WRIGHT, Cabinet member for planning