Sir, Public trust in the planning process around major infrastructure developments is at an all-time low. It’s not just about windfarms; a snapshot of letters pages and online media on any given day reveals angst and suspicion stemming from the sacrifice of areas of wild land, natural heritage, historic landscapes and greenbelt to commercial priorities.
At a time when community empowerment is supposed to be in the ascendancy, it is ironic to see the honest concerns expressed by local communities, and those united by the desire to conserve our most important natural and cultural assets, swept aside in an unequal battle with powerful commercial interests. As has recently been observed, even the Scottish Government has been shown to disregard its own expert advisers.
If we are to rebuild public confidence in the planning process and in the objectivity of Scottish ministers responsible for making such decisions, then we must find a way to demonstrate absolute transparency, impartiality and fairness.
We propose that fresh impetus be given to revisiting the current planning system with a view to improving existing procedures, potentially through the creation of a body or process that is truly independent of government. The goal would be to ensure clear, neutral adjudication over controversial planning applications where there could be significant impact on important landscapes, natural heritage interests or local communities.
We accept there are many questions to answer over how any new arrangements would be established, who would oversee them and so forth; but it is a discussion we must have soon if we are to find a way out of the morass of confusion and recrimination that characterises the present system.
Change would obviate the need for ill-funded individuals, communities and charities to take on lavishly-subsidised developers in the courts where they can rely upon the best advocacy money can buy. It would also create a level playing field on which the needs of nature and communities can be weighed alongside other priorities. We invite the Scottish Government to join with us in an open discussion based on our suggestions.
John Mayhew, Director, the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland; Stuart Brooks, Chief Executive, the John Muir Trust; Brian Linington, President, Mountaineering Council of Scotland; Peter Willimott, President, the Munro Society; Sir Kenneth Calman, Chairman, the National Trust for Scotland; David Thomson, Convener, Ramblers Scotland; Stuart Housden OBE, Chief Executive, RSPB Scotland; George Menzies, Chairman, Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society; John Milne, Co-ordinator, Scottish Wild Land Group.
An international outlook needed
Sir, I would be delighted to see an airport by Dundee with good connections to London and beyond, but we need to stop complaining and start promoting to the wider world that the centre of Dundee is only one hour away from an excellent international airport Edinburgh.
If we took a more international outlook we would see that any city in the world would be quite content that its centre was only a one hour drive from the airport. New Yorkers, even Londoners would be bemused at our concern. As we look to attract business, students and visitors from overseas to Dundee let’s not complain, let’s talk up our closeness to an international airport.
Granted, the rail and bus links to Edinburgh are atrocious. The solution, though, is to fix those links. Yes, we should continue to lobby for better Dundee – London flights, but we would gain more from focusing our energies on getting the train or bus to stop at Edinburgh Airport.
Denis Taylor. 20 Glamis Road, Dundee.
Rail timetable a deliberate ploy?
Sir, Surely it can come as no surprise that Barry Links Station is used by so few passengers. The two trains per day (that’s only one in each direction, by the way) that stop there are timed to be of use only to people commuting to Edinburgh. If you want to reach Dundee at a reasonable hour of the morning, the train from Barry is far too early. If you want to get to Aberdeen from Barry, then forget it.
If I were a deeply cynical person (which heaven forfend), I might be tempted to suspect that the rail companies had deliberately engineered this timetable to be of use to the smallest possible number of people, so that they could then claim that the station itself (along with Golf Street Halt) was no longer required.
Dr Richard A’Brook. 82 Thomas Street, Carnoustie.
Genuine cases will need relief
Sir, Like M Gibb, I, too, can afford to pay for my Blue Badge, but the fact is that for many disabled people £20 would be a real penalty.
While any form of means testing must remain anathema in any ex-coal mining region, there must be some form of relief for those in genuine need.
Laurie Richards. 100 Crail Road, Cellardyke.
People in glass houses . . .
Sir, We see that the Westminster SNP member Angus MacNeil has concerns about Jack Straw and Malcolm Rifkind attempting to pack a bit more into their troughs, yet l don’t recall him saying anything when Alex Salmond was claiming £400 a month food allowance when the Westminster “ foodbank” was in recession, or when the former SNP first minister never even bothered to travel to London.
Has Mr MacNeil never heard about throwing stones when you live in a glass house?
Colin Cookson. Glenrothes.
Full-time MP wanted . . .
Sir, After exposure of their efforts to cash in on their perceived status, London MPs Malcolm Rifkind and Jack Straw responded differently to public condemnation.
Although suspended from the Labour Party, Mr Straw has hidden himself from public view. After initial protestations of innocence, Mr Rifkind has resigned from chair of a parliamentary select committee and will stand down at the next election. His timing is likely more to do with safeguarding his exit payment than any honourable action.
Also last week, I assume like thousands of other citizens, I received an email from Ed Miliband that told me: “It’s time to stop MPs taking second jobs once and for all. Your MP should be working solely in the interests of you and your community.” On top of which, Labour put an unsuccessful motion to that effect to the London Parliament.
All very commendable.
There is a but, though. It seems that Ed didn’t get his message across to my MP, Gordon Banks, the Labour MP for Ochil and South Perthshire. Despite voting for an end to paid directorships this is exactly what Mr Banks has enjoyed for some time.
In the year ended December 2014, in addition to his MP’s salary he has pocketed some £32,000 as a director of Cartmore Building Supplies in Lochgelly at an hourly rate of around £150.
So, while Mr Banks is content to pick up the extra cash he is equally happy to vote to prevent others enjoying his perks. Perhaps he intends to follow Mr Rifkind’s example and stand down at the next election, but I think not.
I think I may take Ed Miliband’s advice and in May I will cast my vote for an MP who will do the job full time.
Archie Drummond. 19 Benbuck View, Tillicoultry.
Top scorers should win
Sir, While watching the sports programmes on Saturday I was interested in the Hearts v Cowdenbeath result. I am not a Hearts or Cowdenbeath supporter but it did make me think.
Most supporters go to a game to watch the skill of their team and hopefully see them scoring a goal or two.
If the current system of three points for a win etc was done away with and the league decided only on goals scored then the paying public would be treated to a game where all teams would be determined to score as often as possible, making it a more enjoyable day for the spectators.
The team with the most goals at the end of the season would then be the deserved winner.
Willie Robertson. Grianan, Lynton, Stanley.