COUN Reid is wrong to suggest that planning committees have little option but to approve all flat developments regardless of how appropriate they are to the local area (November 13).

Government guidelines quite rightly suggest a preference for brownfield sites, but this is just one issue that must be taken into account alongside York's own planning policies and the local environment.

Indeed it is the whole purpose of planning committees to weigh up the different issues and reach decisions that are sensitive and appropriate to our city.

If there are good reasons to say no to a development, we can and should say no.

We all know that the city is lacking in family-sized homes, and this need is not addressed by the building of small luxury flats. What we need are balanced and mixed developments offering a range of housing for the people of York.

We also share the concerns of many residents that attractive buildings of character are being lost to demolition - to destroy decent buildings is not a sustainable way to approach development.

Surely refurbishment or conversion are better options, and would help to preserve the unique character of our city.

Coun Ruth Potter, Labour spokesperson for housing,

and Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, Labour spokesperson for planning and transport,

c/o Chaucer Street, York.

Updated: 09:51 Saturday, November 27, 2004