Let down by councillors

Sir, - May I thank Mr Alexander for his letter (January 10) regarding the Damacre Centre fiasco in Brechin and the ensuing planning meeting which he attended and witnessed.

I also attended along with a small group of local residents who had voiced concerns about the proposed plans.

I agree entirely with Mr Alexander’s take on the proceedings of the meeting which we all feel shed a rather gloomy light on how some of our councillors perceive the general public who voted them into these positions of power.

I use the term power rather loosely as it seems some, though not all, have let it go to their head somewhat.

These people are voted in to represent the public and sympathetically listen to their concerns.

If they feel those concerns are misplaced it is their job to give adequate explanations to each and every one, not to ridicule , lambast and completely twist those concerns to suit their own personal agenda.

The local residents feel they submitted very relevant points about the unsuitability of the Damacre Centre for this project but also offered up alternative, more suitable sites in regards to location, accessibility to public services such as existing drainage and existing road networks.

Never once did any of the objectors mention or even hint that there wasn’t a need for social housing but this was the issue that we feel one or two councillors used to try and ridicule the objections.

Strangely what wasn’t highlighted by those councillors in the chamber was that a planning application for a private house on the opposite side of Wilson’s Park (the main thoroughfare to be used for this development) was refused a year or so ago on the grounds of accessibility and road safety –all issues which are going to add massive extra cost to this current development .

I went to the meeting expecting a fair, honest hearing but instead saw a show of utter contempt to a group of people who asked reasonable questions and expected backing from, at the very least, the three local councillors who we as a community put our trust in. Nicola Forbes. Damacre Road, Brechin.