Planners should put children’s safety first

Sir, - I write with reference to your article, Residents fear sewage will swamp pitches (August 13) regarding concerns raised by Crieff residents about health and wellbeing risks to young people from development of the pitches at Dallerie by Morrison’s Academy.

The authorities have been unable or unwilling to correct the problem of sewage and foul water which floods the area.

What is most surprising is that it was even seen fit by Perth and Kinross Council to approve this application in principle.

This is not something that has just occurred but over the last years has been getting worse after heavy rain, which allows overflow raw sewage and foul water drainage to invade the rugby playing fields.

What is surprising is that the playing of matches has been allowed within days of contamination, regardless of the risk to young people and the wider public. This attitude does not show nor give confidence that those in authority are willing to address the problem in the interest of the safety of the children.

Unless and until an imposed viable solution is found, the thought of development on the Dallerie flood plain should surely be shelved.

In your article, it was noteworthy that SEPA has urged the council to “consider the health implications” of the source of the flooding.

Photographs showing flooding and raw human sewage have been shown to the school and a local councillor, yet this situation seems to have been completely ignored.

Photographs and backup information relevant to the foregoing can been seen in documents and comments lodged with Perth and Kinross Council, planning application reference 15/01036/FLL. Douglas Gorrie. Sauchie Road, Crieff.