Sir, In response to coverage of the decision by Perth and Kinross development management committee regarding the application for the erection of a floodlit all-weather sports pitch within the grounds of Perth Academy, I wish to point out that the decision to select this particular proposal was the choice of school management.
While it became clear that the proposal implied the highly sensitive removal of the pine tree and repositioning of the memorial bench, I am aware of no member of the DMC who wished to remove the tree. However, there being no legitimate planning reason to refuse the application as presented, the application was approved.
After a very public airing of concerns and now broad appreciation of implications of the proposal, it has to be hoped that designers and school management will think again and bring forward plans for the playing fields which reflect the settled will of the school and community.
Cllr Tom Gray. DMC convener, Perth & Kinross Council, 2 High Street, Perth.
No need for yet another course
Sir, Mr Euan Mackay, whose “excitement” about his £25 million golf course and clubhouse at Feddinch is recorded in a Courier article (August 22), deserves top marks for persevering with his determination to impose this development on St Andrews.
Twelve years ago a similar proposal at Scooniehill was refused by councillors and subsequently by a Scottish Government Reporter, who said: “The retention and enhancement of the existing landscape quality will be the overriding consideration.”
The current proposal was approved by a reporter who was willing to override the adopted local plan policies on green belt, agricultural land and countryside and the fact that what was referred to throughout as “the clubhouse” will in fact be a hotel for 160 people, with extensive eating, conference and golf facilities.
This building, according to Mr Mackay, will “afford the highest standards of luxury and comfort” if you can afford the joining fee of up to £200,000.
Mr Mackay says, understandably, that “the market for this place is basically people resident some distance away”.
The reporter and Fife Council officials, who strongly supported this development, appear to be unaware that there is no need for it, but that there is a growing need for agricultural land on which we can grow food.
For residents this means that another large slice of the landscape setting of St Andrews will disappear under development, that yet another non-links golf course will be built in an area already over-populated with them, and that the beautiful view which hotel customers will have of the town will be less beautiful in reverse.
The development is being advertised throughout the world as “The St Andrews International Golf Club (SAIGC)”, another example of the name of this town being exploited for private gain by developers. Feddinch is not in St Andrews, it is in Cameron but why spoil a good title with such a triviality when “St Andrews” is so much more marketable!
Penny Uprichard. Littleridge, St Andrews.
Culprit sits in second place
Sir, Following Cllr Mac Robert’s letter in Thursday’s Courier could I suggest that the problem with slow moving traffic is often the second vehicle in the queue as it (a) has no intention of overtaking or (b) does not recognise when conditions are right to overtake and then does not leave enough space for following vehicles to overtake him and the one in front separately.
Tom Fisken. 18 Wilson Street, Perth.
Missing point about V&A
Sir, As a Dundonian now living in Forfar I would like to comment on the rather confusing letter from an Aberdonian reader on the subject of the new V&A museum for Dundee.
I fear he is rather missing the point. Far from being “dreadful and insulting’’ it is an honour and privilege for the city to have this iconic building as a sister to the famous museum in London.
There are numerous firms in Dundee using the word Discovery in their name and although I have nothing against these firms we certainly don’t want our new museum named along similar lines.
We already have the historic ship RRS Discovery in Dundee of which we are extremely proud and although I can’t speak for every Dundonian, I for one am very pleased to have the association with the Victoria and Albert museum in the city.
Wilma Thom. 5 Turfbeg Avenue, Forfar.
Hadrian’s Wall
Sir, Your editorial comment: “For many people Roman Scotland begins and ends with Hadrian’s Wall” (August 21) is nonsensical. Hadrian’s Wall is not located in Scotland. It fell into disuse many centuries before either Scotland or England existed as political entities.
A pity to spoil the article on the Gask Ridge informative and accurate with such careless comments.
Robert Cairns. Eastergate Cottage, Harrietfield, Perth.