I LEARNED from the press, that Preston City Council intended to release details of the Tithebarn Regeneration Area masterplan on Friday, May 24.

I went to the city hall to collect a copy of the public consultation literature available.

I was refused a copy of the 100-plus page report as it was only to be given to Statutory Undertakers.

Instead I was handed a three-fold A4 brochure that was clearly inadequate for our use.

The information that it provided was insufficient to enable interested parties to make any response.

Further information is available on www.preston.gov.uk or by telephone on the project hotline 0870 240 6063, or Preston City Council on 01772 906900, so the brochure says.

I rang the first number, it was answered by 'Grosvenor' who said no to a copy of the full report.

I rang Preston City Council and got the same reply from the chief executive's office and on checking the internet, the full report was not available there either.

Had the master plan report been on the council's website, we could have down-loaded the same at no cost to council tax payers.

On Tuesday, May 28, I again visited the city hall, but was told that there were no full reports available, but he was to have a further five made.

On Thursday, May 30, I again called at the city hall, and was told that if I waited they would see what they could do about a copy for us.

After waiting over half-an-hour I was then informed that there was still none available, but one would be posted on.

I said no, here is my telephone number, give me a ring and I will collect myself. I still have had no news!

If the city council's officers can't be trusted to provide the fullest information to the public, can they be entrusted with the responsibility for any development?

It seems to me that the city hall does not want the public to have full information to enable them to make informed decisions for themselves.

And that surely means that the public consultation exercise is a complete farce.

Ron Yates, Ribbleton, Preston.