WHAT a refreshing change, among all the current doom, to read the headline in today's Courier "It's all off".

Having been subject over the last few months to some debatable decisions from our local councillors, it was nice to see them get something right.

The £10 million "wonky homes" had, in many people's opinion, very little merit, despite the recommendation from the planning department for approval of the development.

Thankfully common sense prevailed and the majority of the planning committee on Calderdale Council saw fit to refuse the application.

I say majority, but we are told that Coun Martin Peel (Con, Sowerby Bridge) said: "This application has considerable merit and really, hats off to the developer for his ingenuity. Whether there are 300 or 3,000 objectors is not a material consideration.

"I have listened to what the objectors have said, but numbers don't necessarily decide the right decision."

Not exactly my idea of democracy.

Perhaps the voters of Sowerby Bridge would do well to remember the comments from Coun Peel come next election day.

I know that I certainly would.

John B Thwaite