Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – At a Scottish Natural Heritage public reception in St Andrews in March, its chairman Andrew Thin was at pains to stress that SNH is in many senses a government body and charged to uphold Scottish Government policy, especially when it comes to meeting the 2020 targets for 100% renewable energy generation.
This has been all too evident to anyone who examines wind turbine applications.
SNH very rarely objects to turbine applications even though turbines by virtue of their size and rotating blades always have significant adverse effects on landscape, visual amenity and wildlife.
In fact SNH only intervenes if the evidence is incontrovertible and the impact is deemed to be of national or international importance. Even then it bends over backwards to accommodate the desire of developers to maximise their profits.
So it is depressing to see St Andrews University refuse to accept SNH’s advice about slightly reducing the size of the six industrial turbines it wants to erect at Kenly. This bullish attitude relying as it does on a punt that the Scottish Government would overrule any refusal of consent by Fife Council does the university no credit.
Since St Andrews University began its windfarm project, its ”consultations” with local communities and Fife Council have been marked by spin and greed.
Is it old-fashioned to be shocked that our most august seat of learning has adopted the ruthless ethics of the property developer who feels entitled to trample on all and sundry?
Linda Holt.Dreel House,Pittenweem,Anstruther.
Wouldn’t miss it anyway
Sir, – It’s great that Councillor Laurie Bidwell continues to campaign for more trains stopping at Broughty Ferry (ScotRail told Broughty Ferry’s hour has come). What would make the biggest boost to passenger numbers is the possibility to actually commute into Dundee.
The trains in the morning are 06:15, 07:41 and 10:43. I can see the train station from my house but couldn’t commute into work (if I had a job, that is). Also, it has to be possible to buy a ticket as any time saved over the bus is spent at the Dundee end queueing one by one to buy a ticket.
We’re told if we don’t use this great service we’ll lose it. I can’t see in its current state it’s much use to anyone least of all those going to work.
Moira Brown.Gray Street,Broughty Ferry.
Safeguard is needed
Sir, – In only two years folk here have been offered the exciting possibility of voting for Scotland’s independence.
To ensure that any such state created is still a viable, tender-minded democracy, a certain safeguard must be put in place: we must create an impartial upper house whose members are not just the same old tired politicians fighting the same old tired battles, but experts in such fields as the law, medicine, education, the arts, and so on.
Although the SNP is itself a tender-minded democratic party, after independence, its purpose having been fulfilled, other tough-minded parties of the left or right might try to take control and a stable upper chamber would prevent such an eventuality and ensure we remain a healthy, democratic kingdom.
Frank Bowles.37 Albany Terrace,Dundee.
Brown worried about his job?
Sir, – We have heard it from ”The Oracle”. Gordon Brown says taxes would have to go up in an independent Scotland. This from the man who invented ”stealth” taxes and inflicted over 50 of them on an unsuspecting nation.
This from the man who promised an end to boom and bust and presided over his government’s failure to regulate the banks. This from the man who dispensed with the 10% band of income tax thereby increasing the tax burden of every single worker in Britain.
Could it be that what he really means is that independence would cost him his job?
Joseph Miller.44 Gardeners Street,Dunfermline.
Sweeping statement
Sir, – ”Stress is simply an excuse, in most cases, for indolence,” wrote Derek Farmer recently (Getting to grips with absentees would help, August 14). He urged hospital management to deal with absenteeism to help increase efficiency.
While I agree with the need to stop work-dodgers, his statement on stress is sweeping. There is no doubt that constant government interference and frequent policy changes, coupled with a suffocating bureaucracy, have placed medical staff under tremendous strain.
As a result, there have been many genuine cases of breakdowns among conscientious, caring, highly-qualified, experienced and valuable staff through stress and overwork, coupled with the frustration of being forced to implement changes of which they heartily disapprove.
Absenteeism and all the other troubles which beset our National Health Service will not be cured until doctors and nurses are put back in charge, with hospitals run by medical superintendents (qualified doctors at the top of their profession) and matrons (nurses with high qualifications and long experience with a proven ability to advise, guide and discipline staff).
George McMillan.5 Mount Tabor Avenue,Perth.
Immoral waste
Sir, – I regard the Olympics as an immoral waste of money. They cost £24 billion and now that they are over, state benefits and services will be cut, as we will again be told how strapped this country is for cash.
And the waste is continuing in Rio where a wall is already being erected to screen off the shanty town.
Ian Malcolm.2 Morton Crescent,St Andrews.
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.