AS one of the contributors to the seven-hour planning marathon discussing Germany Beck housing I compliment the council members who listened to many short presentations. The questions they asked were informative and incisive.

As one of those opposing the application I can have no complaint about this part of the procedure

I was, however, a little surprised that the applicants' professional advisers were allowed to re-state their case alongside any protesters. The development team has had years to prepare their application.

I can see the sense in having these consultants available for questioning but why do they need to address the meeting?

The developer's agents were also called to speak after any opposition and I know this intimidated some speakers. I am not clear why the developer should be accorded this privilege.

However, if they are allowed to speak after the opposition, there must be a right to reply.

There is another defect in our planning system which puts opponents at a major disadvantage. Opponents have their work edited by council officers. The dozens of documents submitted about the Battle of Fulford were summarised in just ten lines and none of the evidence was presented to the planning committee.

In this case the members of the committee were not aware of the mass of evidence Fulford Battlefield Society has produced to demonstrate the location of the battle.

We must now hope the threat to this important national and European heritage site will be recognised and a public inquiry ordered at which the powerful body of evidence, overlooked by the planning committee, can be examined.

The fight goes on.

Chas Jones,

Fulford Battlefield Society,

Buckingham Terrace,

York.

Updated: 10:42 Thursday, June 02, 2005