Wednesday’s scribes discuss proposed development on a Roman site, biomass carbon claims, the military covenant, and opposition to the Etape Caledonia.
Group firmly opposed to wind farm proposalSir, It has come to our attention that a wind farm development, comprising 10 turbines, is being proposed for construction on the Gask Ridge in Perthshire.
This site is the location of the oldest and northernmost linear frontier defence system known to have been constructed by the Romans and is linked to other internationally important Roman sites such as Ardoch, by Braco.
Indeed the Gask Ridge could be considered the prototype for later and greater structures such as the Hadrian and Antonine walls.
We would like to serve notice on the landowner concerned, Perth and Kinross Council, Holyrood politicians and the development company involved, that we are resolutely opposed to this development and will be using all aspects of the democratic process to frustrate and block it.
In so doing we will be cooperating at both national and international level with professional academics and history societies as well as assisting local community groups in their opposition plans. The direct and indirect threats to both individual archaeological sites and the general historical ambiance are just not acceptable.
To quote an ancient Roman commentator ‘we will not negotiate with a hostile force on Roman territory’.
Ron Greer, (secretary),The Antonine Guard.Blair Atholl.New tree variant?Sir, In your May 17 article on the protests against the Grangemouth biomass plant, the Forth Energy managing director Calum Wilson is quoted making the totally erroneous claim that “the plant will produce 84% less carbon than current average electricity generation… ”
Widely published data demonstrates that burning wood generates more carbon emissions than does burning coal for an equivalent electricity output at the facility where these fuels are burned.
Mr Wilson undoubtedly bases his grossly misleading claim on trees absorbing carbon dioxide during their growth. However, it is patently obvious that trees do not grow at anything like the rate at which they are burned unless, of course, I have missed the development of a wonderful new tree variant which grows as fast as it can be burned?
Massive deforestation will inevitably result should this plant be built along with the proposed similar plants at Dundee and Leith.
G. M. Lindsay.Whinfield Gardens,Kinross.Ready-made accommodationSir, The Con/Dem announcement giving serving and ex-servicemen and women a legal right to be looked after by the country is excellent news for those who will require government help, caused during and after their service careers have ended.
It is not before time that we looked after those who looked after our interests, during their careers, like those who serve in the public service sector.
In this age of austerity and the threatened closure of either Leuchars or Lossiemouth, it may be a good idea to use one of these facilities to accommodate service personnel who require help to use the facilities on these bases.
Along with the empty service housing that will be left redundant, both facilities have airfields and sick quarters which will ensure that the welfare these servicemen and women may require is attended to.
Bob Harper.63a Pittenweem Road,Anstruther.Unreasonable and unjustifiedSir, In its leader, Disruption not deserved, on Monday, May 16, The Courier conflates the substantial number of people in Highland Perthshire who take a reasoned stance against road closure for the Etape Caledonia or any other event with ‘the reckless behaviour’ of protesting saboteurs over the race weekend.
This sloppy reasoning and its unjustified smear upon legitimate dissent and those who espouse it, plus the patronising advice to them to ‘grin and bear it’, make it abundantly clear where the standards and the values of the newspaper are anchored.
Brendan Murphy.1 Taybridge Road,Aberfeldy.No evidence to support thisSir, Your editorial piece, Disruption not deserved, clearly seeks to link the Etape Caledonia incidents of 2009 and 2011 to “anti-race protesters” and “anti-Etape campaigners”.
The only protest/campaign of which I am aware is the ACRE campaign, which opposes the closure of public roads for sporting events.
Its protest has been conducted openly, legitimately, peacefully and without employing direct action legal or illegal. The passage of time does not invalidate the principle on which it campaigns.
No evidence has been presented to indicate that anyone in the ACRE group has been involved in any way in illegal acts.
Your dishonest and distasteful innuendo to that effect is a slur on its law-abiding members.
I am also unaware of anything which clearly indicates the motivation for the incidents. The obvious but unsubstantiated assumption is that they were perpetrated by opponent(s) of the event.
However there is no more evidence for this than for other suggested motives simple malicious acts, commercial sabotage or, in the fairly certain knowledge that it would be blamed, ‘an inside job’ aimed at undermining support for ACRE.
If you can produce information or evidence which either supports your innuendo, or sheds light on the motivation and/or identity of the perpetrator(s), I am sure it would be welcomed by both Tayside Police and the innocent parties at whom the finger of suspicion and blame has been pointed.
B Henderson.Kinloch Rannoch.
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.