SIR – I have always had respect for the probity and equity of Councillor Val Slater, and I am certain Bradford can only benefit from her being the Council’s executive member for planning.

I would therefore query with her my current misgivings relative to the operation of the planning system.

Currently, the decision on approval of planning applications is subject to the recommendations of the Council’s assistant director of planning, and invariably the relevant planning committee has no option but to acquiesce.

To decline an application that they had been recommended to accept by their own planners would almost certainly result in the applicant appealing, winning and probably claiming damages.

Therefore, the ultimate power is actually vested in the planning department.

I cannot subscribe to such power being invested in a paid official and to procedures effectively subverting the democratic process.

I would suggest it would be in Bradford’s interest for any major issues to be fully discussed and agreed with our elected representatives in advance of any planners’ recommendation.

For Councillors to say, as in past instances, “our hands were tied and we had no alternative but to approve” is not what should happen and must be a contributory factor to the current state of our city John Pashley, Westcliffe Ave, Baildon