I’m writing to you about the Western Area planning committee granting a change of use for the N&T buildings at Kingston Mills in the centre of Bradford on Avon.

It was most disappointing to discover just how impotent the system is when it comes to dealing with well funded vested interests.

How do communities defend themselves against cynical developers who play a long game to maximise their profits?

How do we regenerate our town centre when, by a dribble feed, we lose large quantities of our prime space to poor quality housing?

Linden Homes gained nearly £1million by our decision on Wednesday.

It is not their profit I have a problem with. It is the fact that they had a contract with the community to provide a balanced development. A planning balance was negotiated and has been ignored.

The town council, the conservation trust and many other members of the community gave their time and energy to achieve a scheme that would work for the town and the developers.

The decision ultimately hinged on whether or not we would lose at appeal, not on the merits of the development.

I do think that planning decisions like this bring the whole system into disrepute.

Linden did the minimum to market the properties, they produced a poor offer and both they and their agents were difficult to contact, let alone negotiate with. Their contact with the community has been grudging, parsimonious and one-sided.

Developers play games to maximise their profits, this is the proper way of the world. Surely it is the purpose of the planning process to counteract and balance this. Is there hope, or is the system unfit for purpose?

I realise that I’m new to this, and have much to learn but, as a naive newcomer, it seems to me that a planning system needs to be robust and practical if it is to serve any useful purpose. What happened here was an abomination and has diminished the town of Bradford on Avon.

Perhaps I’m too cynical, these things are catching. Maybe Linden Homes will find a way to contribute towards the town they have gained so much from.

But then pigs might fly.

Magnus Macdonald, Wiltshire County Councillor for Winsley, Westwood, Wingfield and Limpley Stoke, member of the Western Area planning committee.