IT is understandable that tourism bosses are concerned about increasing hotel bed-spaces, but no planning application can be refused on grounds of oversupply because it has long been established that increased competition is not a legitimate matter for the planning system.

The council offices at St Leonard’s Place could have been sold with an approved scheme for conversion to apartments and an obligation for residential conversion, but that would have required a level of initiative, intelligence and foresight sadly lacking in local government.

The way to encourage private developers to look away from hotels and student accommodation is to make it more attractive to consider alternative business enterprises. There is a glut of empty offices and shops, so little can be done there. The one area of undeniable need and demand is housing; but the regulatory burden has become so onerous it is now a crippling deterrent. Much of it is determined by central government, but the one area where the council could bring about a favourable improvement is to accept that its affordable housing policies are not working and that a radical change is required.

Matthew Laverack, Lord Mayor’s Walk, York.