PLANNING regulations are an important part of any community.

Without these vital rules, there are no controls over what is built, where it is built and what it looks like.

The planning system effectively regulates the development of land and the use of land - in the public interest.

Take a look at the urban sprawl in some developing nations and it is easy to see how quickly environments are destroyed without these rules.

The people that are in charge of enforcing the regulations must be vigilant, thorough - and, at times, flexible.

Earlier this year, after months of campaigning - including a 1,500-signature Evening News Save our Surgeries petition - seven out of eight new GP surgeries for south Worcestershire were given the green light.

One, in the heart of Worcester, is facing further obstacles - because of planning rules.

The site chosen by the Primary Care Trust for a new surgery at Newtown Road, Ronkswood, had been earmarked by the city council for "employment use" under the Local Plan.

The council wants office blocks and warehouses to be built there and has already twice refused permission for the new surgery.

Trust chairman David Barlow says he does not understand why the council has turned the surgery plans down.

Nor can we. The funding is in place. The people of Worcester want - and need - the new surgery.

Should it be docs or office blocks? We suspect you know the answer.