Letters Page

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Importance of our votes

SIR, – I write with reference to people complaining about Aberdeen City Council (as regards council cuts) and Aberdeenshire Council (for the Donald Trump fiasco). I believe that the voting public should shoulder most of the responsibility.

Local elections have, historically, always had a very low turnout, mainly due to apathy.

The councillors who now represent Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire were voted in by a democratic process.

If the majority of the electorate cannot get off their backsides to register their vote, then they have no reason to complain and moan about the present troubles.

The councillors were voted in and they can also be voted out.

It will be interesting to see what percentage of the electorate will register their vote in the next local elections.

Perhaps the problems besetting Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council are a blessing in disguise.

Maybe it will wake us all up to the fact that local elections are very important and that our votes – or lack of them – put these people in these privileged and powerful positions within our communities.

Patrick Murphy,

Rosebank Place,

Aberdeen.

Building more council houses

SIR, – I refer to your story (the Press and Journal, April 25) headed “Urgent plea to government for cash to build council houses”. It is encouraging that Aberdeen City Council has building council houses, and especially family-sized houses, as a top priority.

The provision of affordable homes for rent is more pressing than ever, especially in a city like Aberdeen where housing demand is huge.

We welcomed Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's announcement to fund the building of more council houses. Any incentives that will increase the total number of social rented houses built are hugely valuable. Ending right to buy for new builds, which the Scottish Government has said it supports, and bringing empty homes back into use are also key to tackling the housing supply problem.

Scotland also has a homelessness target to meet by 2012, when everyone will have the right to a home. An increased supply of affordable housing is vital in making sure this target is met.

We look forward to hearing how Aberdeen City Council progresses and what financial help it receives from the Scottish Government.

Archie Stoddart,

director, Shelter Scotland,

Scotiabank House,

Edinburgh.

Oppositionto development

SIR, – It was frightening to read (the Press and Journal, April 26) about plans for a cement mixing plant on the outskirts of Nairn.

The considerable local opposition is understandable and although most would consider such a development inappropriate, it will not come as any great surprise if approval is granted.

It appears that since elected councillors became entitled to a salary, their loyalty lies more with their paymasters than with those who elected them.

It is unfortunate that this once-attractive tourist town is now seen by developers as having an open door to virtually any project, with recent approval of four-storey blocks of flats at the riverside being a prime example.

Perhaps it is fortunate our system allows the ballot box to have the final say.

John Atkins,

Grigorhill, Nairn.

Plans for waterfront

SIR, – You carried (the Press and Journal, April 25) details of the proposed new waterfront development at South Kessock, Inverness.

I am pleased to see this development moving forward so quickly, although I must give early warning to the planners and residents that high-rise, high-density development is not the way forward in this location.

One has only to look at other flatted developments in this part of Inverness and nationwide that were built as a quick fix to the housing shortage, and a quick profit for the developers.

The flat-roof design will cause ongoing problems, and security of stairwells, lifts and public areas will be an ongoing problem, as they are in existing blocks of flats.

Who will pay for the factoring of these areas and the security?

Will the houses behind this development ever see the sunlight again? I think not.

We need only look at Lower Bridge Street, Inverness, to see a high-rise carbuncle on the iconic waterfront; we do not need another one.

The planners should come forward with an overall development brief for all the brownfield sites in the Merkinch, which would improve the whole area.

David McGrath,

151 Galloway Drive,

Culloden, Inverness.

Searchingfor a relative

SIR, – I am trying to find my niece Diane Walker. She was living with her mum and family the last time I saw her.

She may have moved to Elgin. She is 28 or 29 now, but she was only five when I last saw her.

Her mum’s name was Kathleen Murphy before she married my brother. Her uncle worked for the Post Office services in Aberdeen. I understand she worked in a department store in Aberdeen. She used to stay in Bedford Avenue before her parents split up when she was young.

My mum, who is in her early-70s, would love to hear from her. She phoned my mum a while ago, but we don’t know where she is. I can be contacted at the address below.

Jackie Cullen (nee Walker),

House 8,

215 Shawbridge Street,

Pollokshaws,

Glasgow G43 1QW.

Praising rally competitors

SIR, – I would like to express a word of praise for the competitors of the Granite City Rally.

The route took the drivers past my home on Saturday afternoon and, without exception, all the vehicles were travelling at a sensible speed for the rural road.

This is more than can be said for many of the commuters who use the road daily.

Judi Martin,

Alma,

Maryculter, Aberdeenshire.