Published: Friday, 5th December, 2008 10:55am

Public inquiry required over opencast site decision

Comments (1) | Print | Email

COUNCILLOR Dave Dempsey"s letter in the Press of 20th November begs a response.

He states that he has researched the Saline/Oakley opencast application and listened intently to what was said by the four councillors who did have something to contribute.

Nowhere in the 80 letters of objection is there mention of 'I don"t like it' or even 'The local residents don"t like it'.

If this is the quality of your research Mr Dempsey, it confirms to me that a public inquiry is required to ensure full and transparent probity in relation to this development.

This is a downright insult to the people who have spent considerable time writing and campaigning about the very many issues that arise from such a development and impact on their lives, for what is very small quantity of coal with no real economic benefit to Fife and Scotland.

Mr Dempsey, after listening so intently, in actual fact got his sequence of events wrong.

The actual sequence was as follows:

Councillor Walker gave a very articulate argument against approval.

Councillor Chapman queried the bond and the community fund.

Councillor Ferguson spoke of a public inquiry and the site visit.

Councillor Clelland then spoke and his two issues were to continue discussions with the applicant about the community fund and alternative transport routes.

Indeed, it was his motion that was seconded and had the matter continued over to the next meeting.

These facts can be confirmed in the minutes of this meeting.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, I still maintain that there was ample opportunity for anyone who had carried out detailed research to make comment, Mr Dempsey.

Alan Johnston,

16 Porterfield, Comrie