Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, The recent storm winds have once again wreaked havoc and destruction on an unimaginable scale. They have also caused so much disruption to all road, rail and power networks 80% of it caused by falling trees.
Now with this Government stating we have to plant millions of trees to cut our carbon footprint, surely it is time to bring in legislation and guidelines on how close new plantations can be placed to public highways, railways etc.
In the last 25 years, all over our the country, new plantations have sprung up, some only metres from the roadside.
Our estate owners and land owners would bear a lot of responsibility to make the new legislation work, as they are the main beneficiaries from the financial point of view.
My wife, like many more Courier readers, drives to her work every morning and her journey takes her on an extremely busy road which has huge mature plantations on either side, metres from the road. She told me on the Wednesday of the first storm that it was the scariest drive of her life. Fortunately, she was on holiday on the following Tuesday’s storm.
Incidentally, there have also been a few fatalities over the years when vehicles have left the road and struck a tree.
Thomas Bryce.126 Kirke Park,Methilhill, Leven.
An attempt to manipulate
Sir, At a special meeting of Perth and Kinross Council, we saw a disgraceful attempt to manipulate the democratic planning system on behalf of a particular planning applicant that from the monastery who wish to raise funds by selling part of Perth’s landscape heritage, Kinnoull Hill.
On the agenda was a draft local plan, in particular a new green belt proposal. The normal procedure is to put the draft out for public discussion allowing the public, conservation groups and the Catholic Church development supporters to make representations for or against.
Led by Councillor McLellan a substantial group of councillors attempted to remove the site of the proposed fundraising development from the draft green belt plan which would have meant an opportunity for public representations would have been lost.
It must also prejudice a fair hearing for objectors to the planning application when it eventually comes for a decision, when so many of the councillors have made it clear that they have made up their minds that this is a suitable development site for one particular application before any submissions for or against have been heard.
Norman Renfrew.East Lodge,Barnhill, Perth.
Surprised by criticism
Sir, I have been very surprised to see the amount of criticism aimed at David Cameron in regards to the Scottish independence referendum. I fully support David Cameron in his approach as I believe he is trying to give the Scottish people what they want on the issue, which is clarity.
It is clear that Alex Salmond does not want to give the Scottish people a clear choice. Which is why he is constantly delaying the referendum (despite the vast majority of Scots wanting it sooner) and toying with this nonsense about a third question.
He knows the majority of Scottish people do not want independence so he is attempting to get it in through the back door by being as unclear on the issue as he possibly can.
Mr Cameron is correct in forcing Mr Salmond to give the Scottish people a clear yes/no choice and in the time that they want it.
I fully support Mr Cameron and I hope the Scottish people can see he is giving them what they want, unlike Mr Salmond who is doing everything in his power to get what he wants regardless of the views of the Scottish people who trusted him to represent them as First Minister.
James Clancy.437 Strathmartine Road,Dundee.
Mock fury is baseless
Sir, Whatever else he is Alex Salmond is not stupid. He knows perfectly well that constitutional matters are NOT devolved. So all his mock fury at ”bullying” or interference from a Tory Prime Minister in London is just baseless.
The only people who can, legally, set the terms for a referendum, are the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the Government in Westminster. They may, after consultation, pass legislation to allow Holyrood to run the referendum at an agreed date, but have every right to insist on all the other details.
Iain Taylor.Tigh na torr,Kellas.
Double standards
Sir, I read with interest the article in the national press recently regarding David Cameron’s father-in-law, Viscount Astor, bemoaning the HS2 rail link saying that it would ”ruin the lives of thousands” and ”destroy the countryside”.
He is, however, quite happy with his own windfarm that destroys the countryside and ruins the lives of people living nearby, because it is for his own monetary gain.
(Mrs) Lynne King.Kinaldy House,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.