RURAL vandalism is being perpetrated by "planners" in the guise of progress.

This is happening in Riccall, above, where inappropriate housing developments have been sanctioned by Selby District planning authority against the wishes of the parish council and the residents.

This has happened on several occasions. A property or old building is demolished and several three storey houses are built in the resulting space or back garden, and scant regard is paid to the local environment and, in some cases, conservation areas.

This is progress gone mad and is ruining some of our precious village communities. It has been said by the Government of the day that more power should be divested into local councils, but there seems little chance of Selby District planning authorities listening to this request.

In 2001 the parish council produced a booklet - "Riccall - a design statement" which was adopted by Selby District Council, but which appears to have been ignored or conveniently forgotten when planning applications for new developments are approved.

I doubt whether half the council members have even set eyes on the document let alone read it.

Selby planners admit that mistakes have been made in some recent village developments, but the local people have to live with these mistakes for several decades. In a democratic society it is essential that power be divested to people who are concerned and have to live with the decisions they make.

This, however, is not the case and hence the decline of rural England and villages such as Riccall which are slowly being destroyed by bureaucracy and "planners" who do not listen to the voice of the people.

Peter Howdle,

York Road, Riccall.

Updated: 10:58 Thursday, September 09, 2004