Your headline 'Conservatory victory' (Evening Press, November 3) was no victory. What makes Mr Plaskitt so special that he does not abide by the rules like ordinary people and obtains permission before he starts building - or are TV celebrities exempt?

This is the second time the government planning inspector has over-ruled the York Council Planning Committee.

We had the case at Poppleton where a house was built higher than agreed specifications, much to the annoyance of local residents.

We now have a case where a conservatory was built before planning permission was obtained, this did not give any of Mr. Plaskitt's neighbours chance to air their views.

What would the 300 people have thought if one of their neighbours had built a monstrosity next to them without first getting permission?

It does not matter how nice things look after the event, the whole planning process is set up to protect people from having things built that may invade their privacy, affect their outlook or devalue their property.

The case at Poppleton has cost a lot of money as a result of a lost appeal by the city council but this should not deter them from pursuing similar cases in the future.

A.P. Cox,

Heath Close,

Holgate, York.