MATTHEW Laverack, in his letter of October 18, states that the planning application for a traveller site at city of York council West Offices is neither foolish or frivolous, but goes on to state that “it may be tongue in cheek”.

The dictionary definition of tongue-in-cheek is, (a) “said with irony, mischievously and drily humorous”, (b) “ironically or insincerely”. He continues to state that he and his colleague/co-sponsor of the (in my mind) ludicrous planning application, have paid the set fee for this matter to be dealt with by council officials and are therefore not wasting council staff time or council money.

Eventually he states that the decision may be made by the Secretary of State or a planning inspector. Who does he think will pick up the bill for this process? The council tax payers of York and the tax-paying population of the UK is my only response.

I ask him one question. What would he do if an individual(s) applied for a travellers site on his driveway or car park?

Howard Perry, St James Place, Dringhouses, York.