Public opinion does not count

Sir, – I have read several letters in The Courier about the impact of the new office block under construction next to the V&A. I have contributed to the discussion several times. However, it has been a waste of time since the decision was made before the project went to the public.

We have had two online petitions, that I know of, and several letters to the Courier, yet twice I have read letters suggesting people do not care. Perhaps these writers should have had more to do with the campaign, rather than criticising at this stage?

The campaign has been disorganised at best and a waste of time at worst. The V&A from the start was mismanaged with the £45 million cost jumping to £80m. It was a selling point that it would be partially on the water, but it is only near the water. At the consultation stage no mention was made of this office tower, nor the train station which also overshadows the V&A.

This follows the demolition of old Dundee (the Overgate and the Wellgate); the building of an office block on Shore Terrace, (now demolished); the Olympia leisure centre, (now demolished); the new Overgate and office block (the latter scheduled for demolition); the Nethergate Centre (never fully utilised) and the Technology Park (never fully utilised).

Until something drastic happens, Dundee City Council will continue to run roughshod over the people of Dundee.

If anyone wants to know why people allow these stupid projects to take place I suggest they look no further than the dictatorship in the Dundee City Council new headquarters which are themselves a tragic and disgraceful debacle. Arthur Gall. Pitalpin Court, Dundee.

We need to balance the rights of the traders to be able to operate their businesses without impediment with the desire to bring exciting events to the city centre