I NEVER cease to be amazed at the ludicrous amount of bureaucracy that surrounds everything these days.

Vast amounts of money get poured into so-called ‘risk assessments’ when in many cases all that is needed is a bit of nous.

Take the case of the proposed conversion of Aire Valley House at Crossflatts into 139 flats, as reported in the Keighley News.

Because of the close proximity of Crossflatts Cricket Club, Bradford Council required a risk assessment to be carried out to ascertain that there would be no danger to residents of the properties or their cars from flying cricket balls.

The building and the cricket club have stood side by side for years – have there been any problems caused by flying cricket balls during that time? If the answer is ‘no’, then where’s the problem?

In my younger days I played with Knowle Park Congs second team whose ground was just up Occupation Lane from Oakworth Road, at Exley Head.

We often wondered whether anyone would be able to hit a mighty six out of the ground and shatter a window in the house just across the lane. A few tried, but no-one ever did.

The way things are going we’ll soon be afraid of breathing in case we’re accused of polluting the atmosphere.

Allan Humphrey, Ingrow

* Email your letters to alistair.shand@keighleynews.co.uk