WE read with interest the comments of Mr Smith (Just too high, November 30).

We also feel let down by City of York Council, which has approved the demolition of a perfectly good two-bedroom bungalow next door to us, for the construction of two detached houses on the same site.

We have never been involved with a planning committee before and we are amazed at how it all seems to be a formality.

Why on earth is there a system in place, where you are made to believe that petitioning and raising residents' genuine concerns about road safety, over development and so forth will make a difference?

The whole thing appeared to be a farce and a complete waste of tax-payers' money. Imagine our surprise, however, when we realised the architect who drew up these plans which block our light, and change our entire outlook (at present an open view across York) and replace it with a brick wall, is Matthew Laverack.

Apparently his light is important enough to warrant the demolition of an historic wall in the Groves (November 29).

This has caused anger and grave concerns to the residents of that area, whose objections appear to have fallen on deaf ears.

So now he is pushing for a compromise, to have the top half of the wall replaced with railings. Isn't this what he wanted all along?

Mr and Mrs Stephenson,

Grantham Drive,

Holgate, York.

Updated: 10:34 Wednesday, December 07, 2005