• STEPHEN Daldry, (The planning system is a hall of mirrors designed to mislead, July 13), is learning the hard way.

Local authority elections – and there is another one next year – are supposed to be about electing councillors to represent the views of the residents and tenants. In reality, once they are elected, most of them ignore the electorate and proceed to do what they think fit, regardless of anything the people may want.

Councillors, in turn, appear to be influenced by the unelected top council officers who use their positions to persuade the councillors towards a decision that the officers want, that is, a decision in favour of business concerns.

Camden’s council officers’ job is to give advice and information, not to make decisions. The planning department’s officials should take note.

Central London is now solid with offices and this proposed addition at King’s Cross will add even more. What are all these office workers going to buy with their wages if manufacturing industry continues to be run down?

It’s time this undemocratic system changed. Stop dismissing the electorate as being irrelevant. Start listening to the people and act in their interests.

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