SIR – Bob Watson asks (Letters, June 6) why the Westfield contract with the Council did not include a cast-iron guarantee that a shopping centre would be in place within a laid-down timescale.

The Council did attempt to impose such a guarantee, Westfield disagreed and their threatening to walk away caused the Council to capitulate.

Thus the tone of the relationship was set, and henceforward Westfield have led the Council by the nose.

John Pashley, Westcliffe Avenue, Baildon