Who will buy 2,500 homes in Arbroath?

Sir, - Recent reports about the future of RM Condor, Arbroath, and the redevelopment of the now defunct airfield raise several issues.

Firstly, Carol Evan of the Woodland Trust Scotland appears to be a little confused in her letter over the previous use of this aspect of MoD estate.

The RAF has never been based there. HMS Condor, incorporating RNAS Arbroath, was one of several Fleet Air Arm Royal Naval Air Stations situated in this area of the Angus coast.

One other being HMS Peewit at Easthaven/ Scryne which, incidentally, was marked out and equipped for training pilots and deck operations crews for aircraft carrier operations. Whether or not RM Condor is retained – which I hope it will be – I would question the proposed use of the airfield land to develop 2,500 homes.

Who is going to reside in them? There is a golf course. Will this be lost? There is a large area of grassed land. Could this not be used to deter the use of motorcycles damaging the Elliot dunes, by the creation of a purpose-made scrambles course and combine this with an offroad four-wheel-drive course?

Could the runways, although in poor condition, not be put to some use?

There are also the concerns of the Woodland Trust.

This property could be developed for the benefit of the Angus community, rather than for a developers’ profits.

Should Condor be vacated, what will happen to the various building and the ski slope?

Houses and more residents may improve the economy of the area, but what about recreational facilities?

Geoff Bray. Heather Croft, Letham (Angus).