Opportunity lost for V&A setting

Sir, – By chance I happened to be coming past the City Churches, looked down Union Street and was distraught to see a metal frame towering above the V&A.

It beggars belief that Dundee Council have approved this construction in close proximity to the V&A.

When it’s complete I have no doubt it will seriously detract from the setting and visionary design of the museum and Discovery complex, not to mention the entire waterfront development. Why is the council letting this happen?

Whilst understanding that the waterfront project has to be financially viable to the city, I am at a loss to know why this particular site has been chosen for a seven storey hotel, offices and private housing.

There are many other suitable sites in this proximity which could have been considered especially once we knew the V&A was coming to Dundee.

The open space which has enabled all of us to enjoy the views towards the waterfront has been lost; it could have been an innovative visitors’ centre and all-year-round children’s play area with parking access.

My correspondence with the planning authorities in this regard has run up against a brick wall. The indifference on the part of most councillors and other parties who did not reply to my concerns indicates a total lack of vision and an opportunity lost to create a world-class setting.

Dundonians – are we going to stand by and do nothing ?

Hilda Hynd. 5 Grosvenor Road, Dundee.

With no local health board to scrutinise spending and protect Dundee’s highly-respected medical school and first-rate hospital, what if, as part of cost savings instituted from Aberdeen (another failing health board) Ninewells is downgraded to a district general hospital?