Big business just follows the money

SIR, – I have followed the war of attrition between the supporters of the Kingsford Stadium proposal and local residents and city dwellers who oppose the project.

Had the new stadium been mooted when the current local plan was being developed we would not be having this debate perhaps.

Any blame for the current situation lies with Aberdeen City Council for allowing a departure from the finalised plan. And of course, it is only just and equitable that opponents are allowed to test the legality of the city council decision by the only current means available, which is of course judicial review.

The hoary chestnut of the north-east not being open for business is again touted in the

letters column but in the same edition pension funds were receiving accolades for the development at the west end of Union Street known as the Silver Fin and destined to hold up to 1,000 office staff.

Also, reference was made to Trump. Where are the holiday lodges and hotel promised by the Trump Organisation? Where are the hundreds of jobs at Trump Links? Wake up and smell the coffee. Big business will venture where it sees a profit and football stadia are neither here nor there in the great scheme of things. Are your correspondents seriously suggesting that CEOs in Houston, Stavanger and the European capitals are remotely interested in the location of a football stadium in Aberdeen? If the land in question was not cheap because it is classified as green belt then this proposal would never have seen the light of day. And is building on green belt without advancing a substantial and overriding reason not a position likely to be kicked into touch at judicial review?

P Macari, Queens Road,

Aberdeen