THE well-considered comments by the chief executive of the York Conservation Trust (August 25) raises many questions about the appropriateness of the planning system and the competence of many of those involved in the decision-making process at local and national level.

What has not so far been explored is the allegation made in one of your readers' letters (August 14) that an officer of the council approached one of the councillors, presumably a member of the planning committee considering the case, on behalf of Barratt, asking for support for the application to demolish the building.

Philip Thake, in his article, may well ask: "Who now runs the city, the council or the large developers?" If this allegation of officer interference is correct, the integrity of the administration itself is called into question. It would also support my well known contention that the officer's report to committee was not objective.

How many other examples have there been of similar unacceptable, unprofessional behaviour? How many decisions have been arrived at through similar "back-door" dealings?

Councillors are bound by a code of conduct, which apparently does not apply to officers. Who, if anyone, is going to take action to remedy this dreadful state of affairs?

Philip Crowe,

Clifton,

York.

Updated: 10:36 Tuesday, September 14, 2004