PLANNING is a hugely complicated area of local government and, like super injunctions, favours those with oodles of cash who are in the know.

It is in desperate need of reform and I do believe the Tories are making efforts, but will they go far enough, quickly enough?

Why the rant? Well there’s been yet another takeaway application in Rawtenstall.

The plan is to convert the old undertakers next to the Artisan, in Bury Road.

Please don’t misunderstand me. I am not against Asian cuisine. The Nila, in Bacup Road, is one of my favourite restaurants of all time.

The reason we have so many takeaways is that most councils were slow to get their acts together objecting to them.

Thankfully, in Rossendale, we now have what is known as a “Hot Food Takeaway” policy that should be the kibosh on these applications.

But it is not that easy unless councillors, and busybodies like me, put pressure on the planners, strange decisions are still made under the cloak of “planning guidance”.

Many applications go to appeal and then it is totally out of the hands of the council and local people.

A planning inspector, based in somewhere like Bristol, will make a binding decision where local opinion carries little weight.

The ClivesWorld answer: all planning decisions are made locally and citizens’ opinions will count.

Mind you, it is still very hard getting people off their butts to protest about things.

I shall be working as normal on “Royal Wedding” Friday, but readers will be shocked to hear that Mrs B and our youngest Charlie are going down to London to queue with all the other Hoi polloi for a glance of Kate and William.

Not only that, but she has also entered the ballots for the opening ceremony at the Olympics.

I have advised her that she is walking a fine line, but she has chosen to ignore me.

You just can’t get wives like you used to!