Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – News that Newburgh Community Trust’s planning appeal for three 100m turbines overlooking Newburgh and the Tay has been dismissed by the Government Reporter is welcome.
In 2009 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) warned the trust of “serious concerns” that the turbines would damage valuable designated landscape. It is therefore not surprising that in dismissing the appeal the reporter repeatedly refers to and agrees with SNH’s views.
Despite extensive planning guidance ranged against such development and already fully aware of SNH’s negative opinion, the trust stated in the application form to the Climate Challenge Fund (CCF) that their feasibility study had found “no apparent reasons why it should not go ahead” and on the basis of this inaccurate information £250,000 of taxpayer’s money was flung at a project which in planning policy terms had no chance of success.
The CCF is responsible for disbursing taxpayers’ money to renewable schemes they consider have a reasonable prospect of receiving planning permission and in this case clearly did not assess the request for funding critically enough. Of course the onus is on the applicant to provide the funding body with factual information rather than a glossy and inaccurate sales pitch.
The same CCF have awarded a substantial sum to another “community” windfarm project near Milnathort where some years ago, on the same site, a similar proposal was refused planning permission by Perth and Kinross and an appeal was subsequently dismissed by the Scottish Government. More taxpayers’ money being wasted?
David White.Chairman, ALE,(Auchtermuchty Landscape and Environment Group).
Paid for this “free” service for years
Sir, – Mandy McLernon (November 30) seems to be under the misapprehension that NHS services are free. Not so, Mandy, many of us have paid for a great number of years as National Insurance contributions took a chunk from our salaries.
I paid in for a total of 46 years and certainly don’t think I’m getting the service free.
The same goes for us retired folks with bus passes. I have heard people say: “Oh they (pensioners) get the bus for free.” We pay council tax don’t we?
Nothing is free in this country except the sun and fresh air, but please don’t tell Her Majesty’s Government, or they may begin to tax that too!
Elspeth Munro.Kensworth,Keay Street,Blairgowrie.
Cameron’s reluctance
Sir, – Re David Cameron’s reluctance to regulate the gutter press by implementing the recommendations of the Leveson inquiry; is it his own decision, or pressure from one of his friends?
Colin Topping.26 Crathes Close,Glenrothes.
‘No’ to control of press
Sir, – Voltaire said: “I dislike what you say, but I will defend to my death your ability to say it.”
My grandad and father defended free speech in two world wars.
I have experienced first-hand the dark side of the press as works director of Keillers. When Princess Diana visited the factory certain newspapers offered my girls bribes to ask if Princess Diana was pregnant.
Some of the terrible things some newspapers have been up to is criminal but I trust politicians even less than those newspapers and if they were to have any control of press freedom we really would be in trouble.
Derek H Shaw.The Logan,Liff, Dundee.
Ashamed to be Scottish?
Sir, – Just what does Lorraine Wilson and her ilk have againt people celebrating St Andrew’s Day?
Apart from a thinly disguised swipe at Alex Salmond, she also takes the chance to sneer at expats. who dare to love Scotland.
Does it really matter how any of us, resident or descendant, shows our love for our country? Whether it is dressing up in tartan, or playing or listening to pipe bands?
Whether she likes it or not, the above has been part of Scottish culture for hundreds of years.
Or is it that she is somehow ashamed of being Scottish?
Peter Bell.11 Muirton Road,Arbroath.
Generate a little goodwill
Sir, – In response to the letter on Friday regarding the lack of footfall in Perth, could the council not be more generous over parking costs?
If the first hour was free it would pick up a number of people; £5 for six hours would attract tourists and a general reduction in charges might help people feel they have not been taxed even before going shopping.
The goodwill generated would increase the number of visitors and the overall income might work out so that the total income was similar to that at present and all these people would probably spend more in the shops.
MJ Beaton.20 Perth Road,Milnathort.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL. Letters should be accompanied by an address and a daytime telephone number.