Local opinion has to be counted

SIR, – The local MSP Ms Forbes, when speaking about the planning appeal for a windfarm at Cnoc an Eas near Glenurquhart (Press and Journal, October 14), stated that local opinion in windfarm developments was the most important factor in the planning process and I fully agree.

There are also other important considerations, such as the inherent value and quality of these outstanding landscapes and they need to be protected. The landscapes of the Great Glen and Loch Ness areas are of international importance – a global attraction – and so they also belong to the world community.

I would hope that our MSP, as a Highland MSP, living in one of the world’s most beautiful locations, considers and values the exceptional landscape qualities of her constituency. What help can she give to her constituents? Ask the national planning process and the environment minister to take into account the objections of local and international communities to these blighting windfarm developments on spectacular highland landscapes and to give them protection from being trashed. Jim Treasurer, Friends of the

Great Glen Environmental Group, Upper Achintore, Fort

William.