SIR – I have chronicled Westfield's promises dating from assurance that the complex would be open by Christmas 2007 to their promise to start work in the second half of this year, which is now extended until the fourth quarter.

This further delay is claimed to be due to “the difficulty in doing business over the summer months”.

If the Council officials swallow this excuse without protest, then they are clearly not capable of competent negotiation.

Westfield have said that they are in negotiations with a number of retailers and are making good headway. This implies that they do not yet have firm commitment to take the requisite space.

At a presentation about four years ago, a Westfield director said that their Australian paymasters would not allow building to commence until space take-up ensured viability.

It is evident that this edict still holds sway, and if in spite of massive rate relief subsidies designed to bolster the maintenance of profitable rents,Westfield cannot make a legally binding commitment to commence and complete within an agreed time scale, then the Council have no option but to compulsorily purchase the site and claim from Westfield costs commensurate with the damage they have inflicted on Bradford's economy.

John Pashley, Westcliffe Avenue, Baildon