THE approval of Burton Stone Lane sheltered housing is another example of double standards in the planning system (“Support for new homes and community centre”, July 9).

If that application had not been for the council itself but lodged by a private individual or firm there is no doubt that the retention and incorporation of the Art Deco gym would have been a non-negotiable demand.

The arguments of increased costs and reducing space for new homes would have been swept aside by planning officers if this was a private enterprise application. They would say the developer was expecting too much and putting profits first.

But when it is City of York Council that wants to bulldoze an inconvenient structure regarded by many as a genuine heritage asset - no problem.

Matthew Laverack,

Lord Mayors Walk, York