A new study has revealed that nearly every planning decision in Pembrokeshire is made by unelected officials.
Ninety seven per cent of applications in the county are decided by unaccountable planning officers.
Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies is now raising concerns about the lack of democracy in the planning system.
“I think people will be shocked to discover that instead of publicly accountable councillors making these important decisions, it is in fact, unelected planning officers,” said Mr Davies.
Figures obtained by the Welsh Conservatives show that of the 1,665 planning applications received by planners in Pembrokeshire in 2008, just 42 were decided by county councillors on the planning committee.
In contrast, 97 per cent were determined via the delegated powers devolved to planning officers.
Out of the 14 Welsh councils who responded to the FOI request, Pembrokeshire had the highest percentage of cases determined by officers.
“In the old days it was elected councillors who made these decisions after listening to advice from council planning officers,” said Mr Davies.
“This trend away from the openness and transparency is a real cause for concern. Councillors are answerable to their constituents every four years – planning officers are not.
“We need to return planning power to the hands of local communities and the only way to do that is to change the system.
“I would like to see more ward members empowered to challenge applications that would have a detrimental impact on the quality of life in their community.
“And I would like to see an appeals procedure for communities to object to applications that have been ratified by planning officers.
“Communities should not have unpopular developments forced upon them by unaccountable planning officers.”
