I POPPED into St Leonard's the other day to ask about that cheeky notice put up by Mr Morrison outside his shop in Acomb.

He wants us in and out of the adjacent public car park in two hours flat: or else. I was delighted to discover, en passant, that the market leader had carried out his master plan without bothering to obtain planning permission.

No use complaining to Hugh Bayley. Our infinitely flexible planning laws exist for the benefit of developers and through them for our supermarket chieftains.

No use complaining to councillors. Delegated powers mean that this kind of decision is left to unelected members.

Those who still believe in Parliamentary documentary have a point. The right to vote is better than nothing; but the right to clout is better still.

William Dixon-Smith,

Welland Rise, Acomb.

Updated: 09:00 Tuesday, July 12, 2005