For years the Council failed to take effective action over unauthorised tracks on Invercauld, Candacraig, Dinnet, and Glendye estates. Now it intimidates a small railway company dependent on volunteers.

The replacement path that the planning department demanded of the company was also unfair, as it had to be of a standard far exceeding that of the path it replaced.

You report Councillor Jill Webster claiming "flagrant disregard of the planning conditions". Staff should have requested she leave the room because of conflict of interest, for her partner wrote a letter to the Piper, objecting to the company's first application.

Councillor Karen Clark unfairly demanded a "master plan" before the shed application is decided. The committee is reported as agreeing. Yet small businesses in the area have to earn money before considering expansion, and hence many applications are necessarily piecemeal. The estates were not required to produce master plans.

Yours etc
Dr Adam Watson
Clachnaben
Crathes