SIR – Once again we are witnessing the gradual disintegration of once proud council.

It came as no surprise to read that two of the council obviously knew that the mosque and madrassa operating in the old Emerald Building in Toller Lane and chose to do or say nothing to dissuade the people involved in setting this mosque up and running it illegally (T&A, December 17).

The Bradford area Planning Panel should have no hesitation in refusing this application as these people have blatantly ignored all of the etiquette of planning procedures, in clear expectation that the plans would be passed.

It is time that the Planning Panel showed its teeth and not allow their authority to be ignored (otherwise what is the point of having these panels?). The councillors who knew of this mosque running illegally should be ashamed of turning a blind eye and supporting this blatant insult to the Planning Panel.

R N Newsome, Leeds Road, Bradford