SIR, – I must agree with David M. Edes’s comments (Letters, August 30) regarding Scotland’s Housing Expo in Inverness.
Having protested long and hard over the use of taxpayers’ money to stage this event, I went with some soul-searching to the site.
One design looked like the outside of a multistorey car park and most of the rest were like industrial or office units.
The choice of so much wood on the exteriors begs questions about maintenance using wood preservers which are oil based and hardly environmentally friendly.
There also seemed to be a distinct lack of off-road parking, but I suppose the idea is that you should either cycle (it would take a Tour de France cyclist to pedal up there) or use public transport.
The organisers said they had reached their target, but, on the day I visited, it was difficult to see how it could break even, let alone pay back anything to the public purse.
Ian J. Fraser,
6 Oldmill Lane,
Inverness.
SIR, – As an energy-conservation consultant, I have to express my disappointment with the Housing Expo in Inverness.
Yes, it did show a stimulating variety of designs, construction techniques and finishes which will hopefully challenge the ultra-conservative styles in the Highlands.
However, as a showcase for sustainable housing it fell well short of its target.
There was a general lack of information on construction details, insulation performance (U-values), heating systems, renewable energy technologies, water-saving systems, recyclability of materials and design features for lifetime use of the homes.
Surprisingly, not a single house had a Code for Sustainable Homes rating: this is a method for scoring the environmental performance of new homes to encourage improvement in sustainability.
It is a legal requirement to display an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) in all new houses. They give information on running costs and carbon emissions in the familiar A, B, C format. I found only six on display.
So, this was hardly an exemplar of sustainability.
Mike Clark,
Culduthel Road,
Inverness.
SIR, – Your story (August 25) headed “Unions want cattle prices beefed up”, in which it was claimed that farmers were responsible for the fall in ex-farm beef prices by not foreseeing the economic downturn, beggared belief.
As I recall, the depth and speed of the economic downturn came as an almighty shock to the best of the financial institutions around the world. To suggest that mere beef farmers should have been able to predict an event at least three years hence, since that is the length of time it takes from conception to slaughter, is very flattering.
I think everyone knows that beef prices are supermarket driven.
I predict the price of straw this autumn will be the final nail in the coffin for many beef farmers, especially those in the hills with added haulage costs, and, consequently, cattle numbers should tighten.
If I was smart, I should try to increase cow numbers now, to offset production decline.
Julie Armstrong,
Leschangie Lodge,
Leschangie Farm,
Kemnay.
SIR, – As an expatriate Aberdonian I feel constrained to express my disillusion with Aberdeen City Council which, despite being in severe financial straits already, has decided to spend more public money employing PR consultants to review the campaign surrounding the proposed Union Terrace Gardens project.
What's to review? The question was asked; the public reply was given. Because some people did not like the answer, the council is taking the cynical route of creating circumstances in which it will appear to be obliged to ask the question again in the hope of getting the answer it wants.
We have seen this ploy used with the original issue of a Scottish parliament, with various major points of legislation in the EU, and now Aberdeen City Council. I am old enough to remember when councillors were aware of their duty to effect the wishes of the majority.
Where are these people now?
A.W. Clark
Station Road,
Gargunnock,
Stirlingshire.
SIR, – As a devotee of The Bill TV series for years, I was furious with STV for dumping the show on a cost basis and ignoring the faithful viewers who had watched and enjoyed the programme for years.
At least I was able to switch to ITV3, but now even that has come to an end as ITV has decided to cease production of the show completely after 27 years.
To say that I am annoyed would be a gross understatement and from now on I'm sticking to the BBC and dumping ITV from my favourites list on my remote, just as they did with my favourite show.
Dennis Grattan,
Mugiemoss Road,
Bucksburn,
Aberdeen.