The decision by a Government planning inspector to allow Buck Park Quarry at Denholme to be turned into a landfill tip is obviously a devastating blow for local residents. They have fought long and hard to defeat a proposal which they believe will adversely affect the village in many ways for the foreseeable future.

The inspector's report went against them after Integrated Waste Management Ltd appealed against Bradford Council's refusal of planning permission for the tip in Whalley Lane. That is bound to raise a big question mark over the Council's decision not to fight the appeal.

It seems quite clear that the Council was convinced that the appeal would be lost before it began, which is why it decided not to give evidence at the planning inquiry and therefore not risk being liable for costs.

But residents are bound to be asking themselves if this really is democracy in action. They have been firmly against the plan since it was first mooted. The Council had itself backed their view and turned it down.

It should then have had the courage of its convictions and supported the residents. That it did not do so is bound to have sent out the wrong signals at the inquiry and could well have affected the final decision.

For years to come Denholme will now have to suffer the consequences of the Council's lack of conviction and of a planning appeals process which too often over-rides the wishes of local people and their elected representatives.