Letters: Planning gain

Some such payments are obviously desirable, for example necessary improvements to the highway at the entrance to a new estate. It is arguable that others are acceptable, for example the provision of play equipment for an open space which is part of a large development. But at the other end of the spectrum the "inducements" offered, like the new sports pavilion and pitches with a long-term maintenance agreement cited by Mr Miller, seem remote and their acceptance neither desirable nor acceptable.

Mr Miller is also right to draw attention to the pressures imposed on planning officials by such offers and the implications for their impartiality. I have personal experience of this.

The developers of the recent Nursery Gardens development at Thirsk failed to comply with a condition on surface-water drainage subject to which permission had been granted.

Without approval they changed the levels in the yard next to the shop then run by my wife and her sister and it is almost certainly as a result of these changes that the shop was severely flooded. Another threatened flood was averted only by prompt action by the county council.

Hambleton planners repeatedly failed to respond to my enquiries about responsibility for these unauthorised changes, then blamed Yorkshire Water, and then, having accepted Yorkshire Water were not at fault and despite an independent damage assessment of £2,000, declared the matter trivial. Even when forced to accept something should be done they did not accept they were at fault and did not apologise.

The developers eventually agreed to mitigate (not reverse) the consequences of what they had done but more than a year later the minimum steps recommended by independent drainage experts have not been implemented. In the mean time the new occupants of the shop have suffered a flood. There is every probability the shop will be flooded again.

When planning permission was granted. the developers gave Hambleton District Council a not insubstantial public car park. In letters to you I have repeatedly questioned the impartiality of the chief executive vis--vis his senior planning colleagues but as the recipients of this gift can the council itself be seen to be impartial when dealing with my complaint about what happened?

The only answer is a proper independent investigation.

Dr D F SEVERS

Borrowby Avenue,

Northallerton.

Impossible task

Sir, - I note with dismay your headline last week "Zero rating for county ambulance service" (D&S, July 18).

How can those of us living in inaccessible parts of North Yorkshire, which includes the Wolds, the North York Moors as well as the Yorkshire Dales, expect the ambulance service to achieve the attendance times required by this Government?

They may be possible in urban areas but no way are they achievable in country areas.

That's why Tees East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service is actively fostering groups of community volunteers, trained by TENYAS, equipped by TENYAS, to operate on a 24-hour basis for TENYAS within those areas like the dales which are difficult to access quickly.

I am a member of such a group recently established in Wensleydale, and that's good news (but it only made page 16, not the front page), but it is a very real and positive approach to the issue they face.

Our work experience was provided by the ambulance staff at Northallerton ambulance station. They demonstrated total commitment, great skills, and caring dedication to the patients they serve. Their work is extremely demanding, so don't criticises those at the sharp end, they warrant our enthusiastic encouragement.

So where next you might ask for the TENYAS community group? What about Carperby with Aysgarth, what about Middleham with East Witton? Let's wake up and make a contribution to the communities in which we live, prompt action not only influences survival, but also the quality of that survival.

Anyone interested? Ring Phil Oliver on 01969 623139 or Peter Shaw on 07966 635014.

PHIL OLIVER

Low Pastures,

Redmire.

Internet concern

Sir, - I am writing to express concern that children should be able to surf the internet safely.

As schools break for the summer holidays we will see young people spending more time on the internet. This is fun, and can be a powerful tool for learning and exchanging information. Sadly it is also open to exploitation by dangerous people.

I am pleased to learn Carol Vorderman is backing the NSPCC's campaign for greater child protection on the Internet. The NSPCC is calling for the Government to ensure all computers sold into the domestic market in the UK have child protection pre-installed and set to a high level of security to filter what information children receive.

Any parent or carer wants to know that his or her child is safe from harm when surfing the net. It is essential they know the simple measures they can take to safeguard their children.

I hope that your readers will support the campaign to give our children a safety net by logging onto www.nspcc.org.uk/campaigning and reading the safe surfing tips, and sending an e-postcard to Government. This could result in a major step forward in protecting our children from the dangers of the net.

CHRISTINE CHOI

Balmoral Road,

Darlington.