Sir, - There was a time when a planning application to build a house or convert a barn was determined by the relevant authority at a meeting when the merits or de-merits were examined. Provided certain political conditions were met, the decision was made, sometimes conditionally, and that was it.

Things appear to have changed, and in a sinister way. The case that triggered no fewer than five letters in your issue of December 20 were all to condemn the Yorkshire Dales National Park's extraordinary reversal of an applicantion which initially had been approved by 17 votes to 3. Indeed it would be difficult to envisage a case with more merit.

However, after a series of meetings consensus dwindled and ended in a refusal of consent. We understand "an official, acting in an advisory capacity", was responsible for the change of view of up to a dozen elected members. Surely the approved procedures do not allow for vote after vote until the "desired result" is achieved. Is this tactic available to the applicant also - and if not, why not?

The procedure appears to have changed in Richmondshire District Council also. In 1988/89 Redmire Parish Council successfully challenged a developer who proposed breaking the village limits. Now another developer, at the same site, was refused permission to build over the boundary. However, a later meeting reversed the initial decision, amid reports of non-receipt of e-mails and letters of objection. Confusion all round.

Is it not time the relevant planning authorities publicly explain their extraordinary methods of dealing with applications, before recourse is made to Defra or the Ombudsman. However my cynicism prompts me to remind readers that Defra and common sense are strangers and the Ombudsman's salary is paid by Defra using our money.

BILL YOUNG

Church Lane,

Redmire.

My responsibilities

Sir, - Apropos Mr Leahy's letter (D&S, Jan 3), I have never in my council career attempted to abdicate my responsibilities.

Mr Leahy has got his facts wrong. I am a trustee of Richmond School, not a governor. I also serve as a member of the Richmond and Swaledale Community Education Committee at Richmond School.

As a member of the planning committee which will deal with this application, there is obviously a requirement for me to declare an interest. If all councillors who had to declare an interest then went on to resign for non-performance of duty I fear there would be very few councillors left to perform any duties.

I can assure Mr Leahy however that when this matter comes up for consideration, the committee will have been fully briefed with all the relevant facts including all the objections. They can have a site visit if they so wish. Mr Leahy can also address the committee with his objections in person, as can anyone else.

Our democratic system, while not perfect, is designed to be as fair and reasonable as possible to all in the effort to make just decisions.

County Coun OLIVER BLEASE

Newbiggin,

Richmond.

Job done

Sir, - On Sunday, January 3, 23 members of Richmond Pride met and, despite the very cold and icy conditions set to work on the lane at Cross Lanes.

In just over two hours we collected 41 black bags of rubbish! Will the local authority with responsibility for this area please own up?

It is high time that they cut back the dead vegetation.

It is high time that they carried out the necessary work to help with the water levels and the very real drainage problems.

It is high time that rubbish bins are installed.

It is high time that dog-waste bins are installed.

Could they please let the residents of Richmond know when they intend to carry out the necessary work so that we can cheer them on (we might even provide tea and biscuits)!

It is very obvious that this area has not been tackled for a long time - readers might be surprised to know that wrappers from Mars Bars etc go bright green as they rot!

Finally, I would like to ask all those who use the lane to respect it. Take your litter away. Do not leave your dog waste wrapped in plastic bags for others to collect. Lobby your councillors so that rubbish and dog-waste bins are installed. Thank you to those who collected and thank you, once again, to the district council for the loan of equipment.

STUART PARSONS

Mayor of Richmond

Village facts

Sir, - Who is A R Jones (D&S letters, Dec 27?) He doesn't live in Bainbridge under that name, or does he?

Well if he does, he has only just moved here because he certainly has all his facts totally wrong.

If Alias Jones had read the D&S each week, he would have realised that the bus stop North Yorkshire County Council removed was in Low Abbotside not Bainbridge. Well done to all who fought to resolve the problem of the new bus stops, especially residents who turned out for the site visit on such a wet day.

Alias Jones, you really don't know what you are saying; why didn't you come to a parish council meeting and ask about Bainbridge? We would have explained about the new waste bins that are on order from Richmondshire District Council and the new layout at the junction due to a resident's house continually being damaged by wagons.

Many of the new road signs will be removed with one replacement sign west of the village. The A684 sign is not left from F&M, but is for when flooding occurs to prevent traffic travelling on the Thornton Rust road.

What is really upsetting, is when you say the playground that the people of Bainbridge worked so very hard to get is unused nine tenths of the time. The truth is the opposite; children play there often.

People I meet say "how wonderful for the children. There are always children playing every time I pass".

Alias Jones, you certainly have proved you haven't known Bainbridge very long because the reason we have the play area on the village green is because we were not allowed to have the play area in the school.

Come to Bainbridge you say. I agree, because we have a beautiful village which welcomes children to play on the village green and the play area. The people of Bainbridge believe a village should be enjoyed, a place to live, not just to look at.

Coun YVONNE PEACOCK

Vice-chairman,

Bainbridge Parish Council.