At long last. For whatever reason, members of the area planning panel have decided to toughen up their stance, reject officer recommendations and take enforcement action against Skipton Properties.

Details of the reasoning behind the decision cannot be given because that part of the planning meeting was held behind closed doors for understandable legal reasons.

However, it is our clear understanding that the officer recommendation in both cases put before the elected members last week was that it would not be expedient to serve enforcement notices.

In a recent comment we stated that the planning department seemed to be like a mild mannered wolf in a fairy story.

They huff and they puff and they threaten - but they never blow the house down.

We wondered why this was. We again ask, why? The public has a right to know.

Presumably one element could be that if the decision is rejected by the Secretary of State or Planning Inspector the council might have to pick up the bill for costs.

But surely that only applies if the reasons for enforcement action are weak and there is no significant planning objection. You don't need to be a genius to work out that if a house is built 2.1 metres taller than specified and in a different position it detracts from visual amenities.

Work has now been suspended at the Box Tree Grove site while Skipton Properties' appeals are heard.

They say as a responsible business providing hundreds of jobs, the company and its employees plus the buyers of their homes are keen to see the issue resolved quickly.

We too would support the call for a swift outcome but only for the sake of those like Karen East and many other readers and residents whose lives are being blighted by the current situation.