Letters / We need to speak up
I was glad to read that the council has woken up to the scale of the energy invasion of Shetland. It is high time that this issue was put before the public.
There are two major concerns, one the extent of the industrialisation of our islands, and the other from the impact on the natural environment of land and sea.
When we were aware of the coming of oil 50 years ago, there was a lively debate then plans were made on the basis of what would be acceptable to Shetland.
Now, the council appears to have no view of what is acceptable for Shetland’s future.
On 20 August I received a letter from the Town Hall stating that ‘The Council will have a role in the consideration of applications for consents and permits and should therefore not be involved in seeking public views or forming an opinion on development except through these statutory processes’.
If our council has no policy of what is important to Shetland, why do we have them?
At this time, as 50 years ago, we need determination and leadership for the benefit of us all.
Without it we will be pawns in the game, leaving our land and seas around us strewn with industrial clobber and plants reeking of ammonia.
At the next elections I will look for candidates who can stand up for our Shetland values, not for pathetic weaklings with no views.
Meanwhile we need to speak up for our land. A land with a value beyond price.
John Scott
Bressay
