WE are being continually told that Durham County Council, due to the current financial crisis, has to make substantial cuts in its spending. Well here’s a surefire suggestion that will save pounds and pounds.

All it has to do is abolish its planning department as it is obviously not needed. The council has agreed to overturn the advice of its planners (Echo, some editions, July 28) and sanction the ever-onward march and world domination of Tesco through backing its plans for a new superstore in Consett.

Even the £400,000 miserly bribe for environmental improvements in the town centre will not begin to address the present or future prosperity of the town as Tesco will undercut local businesses/employment and Consett will become a town of boarded-up shops as a result of this extremely dubious decision.

M Hawkins, Langley Park, Durham.