WHILE offering my full support to the campaign to introduce an Article 4 direction requiring planning permission to be sought prior to owners closing and converting pubs for other uses, I would just like to add a cautionary word.

Making the owners apply for planning permission and allowing the public to have their say at planning committee is all well and good, but the granting or refusal is then in the hands of councillors.

Having noted the letter by Cllr Janet Looker extolling the virtues of the Punch Bowl, Lowther Street and supporting the Article 4 proposals, I began to wonder if this was the same Cllr.

Looker who, as a member of the area planning committee, voted in recent months for redevelopment of the Fox and Hounds, Copmanthorpe.

Then I thought surely it cannot be the same Cllr Looker who voted to grant planning permission for housing on the Pack of Cards site, housing on the Yearsley Grove site and conversion of the Shepherd Social Club.

Cllr Mark Warters, Independent, Osbaldwick ward, City of York Council.