It is unfortunate that plans for creating a far-reaching blueprint for Bradford city centre have hit the rapids of controversy at such an early stage, yet the questions being asked about the cost of the exercise and about public involvement in it are ones which need to be raised.

It is disappointing, too, that the much-heralded involvement of leading architect Lord Rogers now seems set to be less than was initially hoped, due to work he is involved in with London's Mayor, Ken Livingstone. However, it looks as if Lord Rogers will be able to continue to exert some influence over Bradford's future shape through his chairmanship of the Government's Urban Task Force.

The big question now, though, is: just how much influence will the ordinary people of Bradford be able to exert? That issue has, rightly, been raised by Councillor John Godward, who warns of problems ahead if there is no major public consultation exercise.

A high-powered panel of experts is important to guide the development. Their expertise should be invaluable in sifting out the practical from the fanciful, the aesthetically apt and pleasing from the tacky.

But at the end of the day, it is the people of Bradford who have to live with the city centre this blueprint will create. A system needs to be put in place which will allow their views to be taken fully into account and their instincts heeded - as did not happen, sadly, before it was decided to replace Provincial House with a development of which hardly anyone seems to approve.