It’s not often we take time out to welcome a breath of fresh air flowing through the city council chamber.

But the words of the chair of planning committee Julie Cattell certainly qualify for praise.

The straight-talking member for Preston Park has admitted what many already know. Too many dull and uninspired buildings are going up in our city potentially spoiling, not protecting, the legacy of the Regency builders of which we are justly proud.

Cllr Cattell was speaking in favour of the radical new Moshimo restaurant building in Bartholomew Square. It’s true that it would be hard to make the square more bleak than it is now but nevertheless the design is certainly bold and definitely different.

The planning boss said she wanted more “out of the box” thinking when it came to architecture in the city and promised more surprises on the way.

New buildings and structures can have a galvanising effect on a town or city and the mix of old and new can have a stirring effect. Anyone who’s been to Barcelona knows that.

Providing all is done to protect the past beauty of the city and the sightlines to its treasures there is absolutely no reason we cannot embrace the new with the refreshing vigour shown by Cllr Cattell.

But there is a but. It is extremely disturbing that the Moshimo building was waved through without a vote by elected members of the council. A nod by unelected council planning officers is not enough for a building of this size and difference.

If the city is to evolve it has to take its inhabitants along with it. That means democratic decisions being made in full view.