The extent to which planning decisions affect the lives of ordinary people is often overlooked when developers' demands are being considered. So it is good to hear of cases like that of the rendering plant at Thornton where residents opposing plans to extend its operations have now won their fight.

Rendering plants can make very unpleasant neighbours as it is extremely difficult to contain the smell they generate despite advances in technology. Ideally they need to be on a windswept coastal cliff top or on some other area of isolated land far away from human habitation.

That would avoid much of the discontent and strife which occurs because of the proximity of these places to local people - often due to historical factors beyond the control of the present owners.

It is to be hoped the effect of planning decisions on the local population will also be taken into account when a plan to build 99 more houses near Cottingley Primary School comes up for final consideration.

Not surprisingly, parents of children at the school and residents are dismayed. The roads through and around this area have already become a nightmare for motorists and pedestrians alike.

Some of the problem might be relieved when the Bingley by-pass is completed towards the end of 2003. However, it is unlikely to have enough effect to prevent this already horrendously traffic-choked area from virtually grinding to a standstill as a result of the outflow of vehicles from another 99 houses, with the ensuing danger to pedestrians, and particularly children, that is likely to bring.