I WAS disappointed to read Coun Janet Looker's comments in the Evening Press on October 27. She seems to suggest that the process by which approval was given for the Barbican complex lacked legitimacy.

Where was she when the consultation process was going on? Didn't she hear about the lively planning site visit or about one of the longest planning meetings ever, at which many objectors were able to raise their concerns?

Or was she in her ivory tower?

It's easy to denounce the democratic process if the outcome is something different to what you want.

So far as the Barbican plans are concerned, Coun Looker should remember that the Labour Government's regional office had the opportunity to reconsider the City of York decision but chose to support it, which is what most of York does.

It is remarkable that Coun Looker should publish her criticisms the very day the planning committee considered two applications to vary planning conditions on the Barbican site.

The approval of these conditions, among other things, could well help to reduce the delays about which she also complains.

Yet all Labour councillors voted against them although there seemed no logic in this. Labour seem to have a credibility gap.

Coun Richard Watson,

Haxby & Wigginton ward of City of York Council,

79 York Road,

Haxby, York.

Updated: 09:48 Tuesday, November 01, 2005