Letter: Lost opportunity

It WAS with great disappointment and considerable anger that the majority of people in the Tyndrum area, and many from further afield, learned of the rejection of Scotgold's planning application by the board of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park by 12 votes to ten (your report, 23 August).

The 12 members must realise that they are depriving 52 people of well-paid jobs, the local community of huge financial benefit and the country of an estimated ?50 million. Can we afford such a decision in this economic climate when thousands are losing jobs? Scotgold has paid off two workers and a geologist. The board must think again. This would be the only gold mine in western Europe and would put the national park on the tourist map.

JOHN BURTON

Dalrigh House

Tyndrum