Ignore celebs and listen to the locals
meaning for five years the SNP and Tories colluded to write the budget for Scotland.
On money and tax the SNP and Tories think and, worse, act the same.
Why no mention of his own Westminster duties? Perhaps this is to deflect from a recent New Statesman article which labelled him as one of the most inept MPs at Westminster.
When Mr Paterson talks of a “cynical reality” he only has to look to his own party for inspiration.
Gary McGrow, Stirling It is regrettable that the Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow should seek to intervene in the Park of Keir planning application (Observer, January 27) and for him to press such a strong case for a commercial development is deplorable.
Dunblane Community Council’s decision to oppose the development at Park of Keir has been informed by a full analysis of the facts and reflects the views of the Dunblane community.
In our full participation in the local planning inquiry we based our case on two fundamental points: the damage to our community by the scale of the development, especially the housing, and its location in the green space which separates us from adjacent communities and which maintains the identity of our town with its own 1000year history.
Park of Keir is a precious site, critical to the special identity of our community, which would be changed beyond recognition if the proposal is approved.
Yet this major facility is being proposed without a viable ongoing business plan and, on the basis of the information presented, will probably need on-going financial support.
The local planning inquiry closed in September, almost five months ago.
On December 20 the Lawn Tennis Association and Sportscotland announced a ground-breaking £15 million joint-funding agreement to start in 2017.
Their ambition, in partnership with Tennis Scotland, is to transform tennis in Scotland by doubling the number of covered courts from 112 to 225 over the next five to10 years, with the objective of significantly increasing participation.
This announcement by the LTA is critical to the outcome of the Park of Keir appeal as, had it been confirmed prior to the local planning inquiry, we would have been able to demonstrate that the Park of Keir proposal is even less financially viable than we demonstrated at the inquiry.
We feel it would be a travesty if the Murray legacy programme, which is focused on community involvement and communityled bids, resulted in their home town of Dunblane becoming the one place where a tennis centre was imposed on the community against its wishes.
I would urge the Scottish Government to show decisive leadership, ignore the pressure from the celebrities, politicians and sports writers and reject this expensive, high-risk and divisive development.
That would allow us to work with the LTA, Sportscotland and the Murray family to find a community-led solution to the provision of tennis facilities in Dunblane – a solution that is appropriate to the size of the town and to its place at the heart of the tennis revival in Britain.
Terence O’Byrne, Chairman, Dunblane Community Council
bags were water and energy drink bottles. The water bottles promise to rehydrate the body and mind, sadly failing to reach the brain. The energy drinks were also failing to give enough energy, to remove empties for disposal.
To the sad misguided souls who staged a firework display close to the parking spot: I am sure it was enjoyed by people all over Stirling but did you have to leave all the detritus behind.
To all who enjoy this lovely walk: please take your litter home.
name and address supplied
This is fantastic quote in here to fit the space thanks here pleaseeeee