Sir, - Do we have to destroy the landscape for the sake of economic growth?
On a recent visit to my native home of Donegal I was struck by the buoyant optimism of a county which has been for too long overshadowed by the troubles in the North. There is a proliferation of new businesses and excitement about the proposed cross-Border economic initiatives that should bring further prosperity to the area. Donegal County Council dealt with over 5,000 planning applications last year and expects to deal with over 30,000 in the years to come. This is where my own optimism for the future begins to run out.
The environmental cost of the recent building has been far too high. Due to poor planning, its impact is too often a blight on the landscape. Good planning is essential for the future of Donegal. It should be independent of individuals, businessmen or politicians.
I welcome the new county development plan. But despite this, farmers are often encouraged to sell off up to five building sites each. There must be a better and more sustainable way to subsidise farming.
Instead of suburbanising our entire countryside we should protect it. Ribbon development has to stop. There should be development envelopes around towns and villages reflecting the change in society to a more urban one. Conservation areas should be treated with the respect they deserve and not sprinkled liberally with holiday homes that contribute very little to the local community.
Donegal is a famously beautiful place. The people who live there deserve both economic success and much of their county left intact. It would be a tragedy if we lost forever the famous landscape that has inspired so many songs, stories and paintings. - Yours, etc.,
Fiona Orme, Fen Ditton, Cambridge, England.