THAT City of York Council failed to meet Government planning targets (December 15) is more to do with the inappropriate targets than the failings of the planning department.

Your article failed to mention that currently only 30 per cent of authorities around the country are managing to determine 60 per cent of major applications within 13 weeks.

To expect major applications on the scale of Derwenthorpe, Heslington East or Germany Beck to be decided within a three-month time frame is both undemocratic and unrealistic. The plans have to be considered by bodies such as the Environment Agency, English Heritage, drainage boards, emergency services, Highways Agency, environmental and residents groups, etc.

All their comments have to be collated, appraised and the developer given the opportunity to modify their plans to take account of responses.

Major amendments then have to be notified to everyone again and any further responses covered in the report to the committee.

Even "minor" and "other" applications can have significant implications at a local level. As a member of planning east committee (that does not handle "major" applications), I can think of a number of occasions when a decision has been deferred because concerns have been raised about aspects that had not been considered or covered in sufficient detail in the application.

Developers themselves may ask for a deferral to amend plans to meet the concerns of objectors.

These developments will be with us for many years to come and have a major impact on our quality of life. Getting the plans right is far more important than rushing through half baked plans to meet a Government deadline.

Andy D'Agorne,

Green Party councillor,

Broadway West, York.

Updated: 11:17 Tuesday, December 21, 2004