SIR – Bradford councillors have approved two schemes for new houses on greenfield sites in Keighley despite opposition from the local community (T&A, March 19).

One of the schemes resulted in 11 people lodging written objections to the development, calling for the town’s derelict brownfield sites to be developed first.

When approving the scheme Committee member Councillor Malcolm Sykes (pictured) commented that it was disappointing none of the objectors were at the meeting, adding “(it) makes the decision fairly easy, that we should recommend this for approval.”

That is a hugely disturbing comment. It implies that those written objections carried little weight, and would only have done so if the objectors had appeared in person. Shouldn’t all objections, however presented, be given the same level of importance?

Bob Watson, Springfield Road, Baildon