I spoke at the committee meeting where the proposal for a complex of shipping containers on Piccadilly was approved by a majority vote.

It was a demonstration of twaddle, a clear conflict of interest and and a manifestation of double standards.

There was abundant talk of vibrancy, jobs, opportunities, business potential and social objectives but no discussion of the real planning issues that it was an alien scheme, completely out of keeping and that it breached a myriad of national and local planning policies.

No one seemed bothered that the council, as site owner, was effectively giving permission to someone they wished to rent the site to.

Nor did they react when it was pointed out that officers had elsewhere said that temporary permissions did not outweigh the harm caused by inappropriate development.

Planning applications are supposed to be determined on planning grounds and planning grounds alone.

Here in York, planning considerations are swept aside whenever it suits the local authority’s wishes.

Little wonder that the planning system is in such disrepute.

Matthew Laverack, Architect of this parish, Lord Mayors Walk, York