Madam, Having visited the site concerned I have read with particular interest letters to the Gazette on the above subject. I have also examined the Ecological Survey recently added to the planning application documents lodged at Swan House on which I offer the following comments:-

l) A thorough ecological survey is not possible from visits made in the middle of our current, exceptionally cold, winter. Animals such as bats, hedgehogs and slowworms are hibernating: migrant birds are far away in warmer climes and will not be nesting until April or May.

2) Making the assumption that planning permission is granted the survey does give some suggestions which, very optimistically in my opinion, might make the proposed sterile car park more eco-friendly. However neither bats not birds are likely to use bat- or bird boxes stuck on isolated trees in a car park assuming such trees survive both building operations and their new, non eco-friendly, gravel, tarmac or concrete beds!

To increase the eco-friendliness of the site the survey suggests planting belts of low growing trees such as hawthorn around the periphery of the site. As a modification to the submitted plans this might require the owner to re-submit any such changed plans. It would also affect the external appearance of the area as viewed from neighbouring houses. Unfortunately, according to the planning application, none of the residents in the proximity nave been asked for their opinions about this proposed major build.

I understand as part of the original approval for planning permission to build the Overross housing estate that the site for which permission to build is now being sought was agreed to be an open access area. It appears that the reason this agreement has not been formally implemented was through lack of due diligence by the appropriate authorities.

Therefore I suggest, rather than allowing the site to be used for private building, thus sterilising the area, endeavours are made by the council to determine the opinions of the residents of Overross; also to seriously consider the council's moral obligation, despite the years of delay, to fulfil the original agreement by taking the necessary action to-ensure the site remains open access.

M KeIly, Ross