Yes. I did my rhetorical best to persuade them not to allow it. I think we would have settled for a compromise of one house (not two) but the system does not encourage compromise: it is accept or reject. I think we may have fallen victim to the time of night (it was getting on for 10pm) and the placing: the committee had just deferred one application and then rejected another (both unusual apparently). They had just had about 45 minutes of bullying from council officers over this, with the vote even being retaken for the record (although it had been perfectly clear to me had been decided).

What was interesting is that objecting and arguing does have effects: on Tyson Road it has led to the saving of more trees and more thought given to the wildlife, on the land near 29 Shipman Road it has led to a reduction from four flats to 2 houses. It seems as if you might not win but you can get some change and compromise. The process is better for people taking an interest.