National Government to decide planning applications for land sold by councils

Stafford Borough Council (SBC) are selling a large piece of land at Tilling Drive in Stone Staffs for a lot of money, subject to planning permission. It is therefore in SBC's interest to approve planning consent on this land. It is wrong for a council selling land to also give permission to develop the land. I believe a conflict of interest exists. In such circumstances a government body should manage any planning application to ensure true open and honest government. All ambiguities should be removed from the process and due diligence applied.