In theory, Leeds Planning Department maintains consistent planning policies across the entire city. In practice, inner-city residents could be excused for thinking otherwise, since it often appears that second-rate designs are considered “good enough” in less wealthy areas. It is difficult to quantify building designs, but it won’t harm to raise this issue, so that next time we see a really rubbish scheme we can argue that it wouldn’t pass in Calverley or Bardsey.

This can be a major problem with environmental issues: inner-city areas are often busy, but there is no need for them to be noisy, smelly and ugly as well. The public realm should be the same quality wherever people live.