WHILE it is to be expected that Coun Watson would try his best to defend the Liberal Democrats' dire record over the Barbican redevelopment (November 1), I was astonished to find that he had the barefaced cheek to lecture Janet Looker on the democratic process.

As Coun Watson knows full well the Liberal Democrats have never properly consulted anyone on their plans to replace the majority of sporting facilities at the Barbican with a nightclub and five-storey block of luxury flats.

They have ignored the 6,000-signature petition against their scheme, and have not once tried to negotiate an acceptable alternative.

Instead the Liberal Democrats have used their majority on the council to railroad through an unpopular proposal that clearly does not have the backing of most local residents or Barbican users.

Coun Watson and his fellow Liberal Democrats are the ones who are living in an ivory tower if they think that anyone other than themselves supports their disastrous redevelopment plans.

Instead of lecturing others about the democratic process, Coun Watson should devote his energies to trying to persuade his leader to get off his high horse and do what he should have done a long time ago - which is to negotiate with local residents and Barbican users.

Until this happens the Liberal Democrats have only themselves to blame for the continuing delays in the Barbican redevelopment.

Danny Golding,

Albemarle Road,

York.

Updated: 10:42 Thursday, November 17, 2005