The Planning Officers Society has urged local authorities not to make planning staff redundant as its study showed a drop of up to 60% in the number of planning applications submitted over the last year. The survey, conducted throughout 2007– 8, is a national snapshot of the impact the downturn has had upon applications. President of the POS Phil Kirby commented: “Rather than making cuts, local authorities should consider redeploying partners within the service, to provide the spatial planning policy framework and ensure efficient and effective development management processes are in place which will be essential to aiding the recovery when it happens.” <br>