CAMPAIGNERS are demanding an independent investigation of Kirklees Council's planning system.
They say it is "deeply flawed" and planning officers are given too much decision- making power.
The Pinfold Residents' Protest Group in Mirfield says it is a little-known fact that fewer than one in 10 planning decisions are taken by democratically elected councillors.
The group says officials are responsible for the others.
"It is vital these public hearings are seen to be equitable, open and democratic," says the group.
"If protesters lose a decision, they are not allowed an appeal, but if a developer loses a decision, he is allowed to appeal."
The group has written to the council's chief executive, Tony Elson, and leader Clr Kath Pinnock, asking for an independent investigation of the system.
A Kirklees spokesman said more than 5,000 planning applications were submitted each year and the council had an agreement which specified which applications were decided at various levels.
About nine out of 10 are given to officers to decide.
Government legislation not the council allowed an aggrieved developer a right of appeal, whereas objectors did not have a right of appeal against approval.
The spokesman added that over recent years numerous representations had been made by the man leading the group (who asked not to be named).
They had been the subject of inquiries by senior council officers, Dewsbury MP Ann Taylor and the Local Government Ombudsman. There had been no evidence of maladministration by the council.
