I WAS particularly interested in Coun Simpson-Laing's letter and the double standards she is applying ('Densities to rise', May 17).

At a recent west area planning meeting she, and her fellow Labour councillor, voted in favour of an application for Copmanthorpe which was opposed by the parish council and local residents on the grounds that the proposed building density was too high.

The application was passed by a single vote majority and would have been turned down had Ms Simpson- Laing or her Labour colleague voted against it. While she may be in a minority political party her vote can still make a difference.

It is time we put political posturing and point-scoring behind us and put the real issues to the fore. Housing densities are set to rise, but only if councillors from all political parties let it happen. So I urge councillors on all sides to get off their high political horses and listen to what local residents have to say and vote against the "cram-them-in, stack-them -high" developments Ms Simpson-Laing says she opposes then votes through.

David Smith,

Church Street,

Copmanthorpe, York.

Updated: 09:38 Friday, May 27, 2005