I WRITE in response to the recently- approved planning permission for 28 private flats to be built on the site of the former INL Club in York's Speculation Street.

The planning committee passed this modernistic tower block design despite opposition to this unnecessary, and unwanted, building.

This is despite the fact the council's heritage department has blocked, for more than a year, the window renewal programme for the Navigation Road area saying the appearance must be appropriate because they are so close to such an important historical monument as the Bar Walls.

I, and other residents, are stunned this has received planning permission. I suppose the £225,000 sweetener paid into the council's "affordable housing fund" by the leaseholder for the land made the building seem more attractive to the committee. But did the planning committee consider the residents whom they are meant to represent?

I don't think so, otherwise they would not have sanctioned such an unwanted, disproportionate building in what is essentially an already overcrowded and extremely narrow cul-de-sac.

S Maher,

Speculation Street,

Walmgate, York.

Updated: 11:16 Wednesday, July 16, 2003