Letter: Danger in reform

Reform Scotland's suggestion that "local communities in Scotland, given the right incentives, are perfectly capable of deciding for themselves how their areas should develop without the guidance of a higher authority" (Letters, 16 February) is profoundly dangerous.

This apparently reasonable suggestion would in fact be a recipe for conflict and poor decisions. It would lead to local developers and landowners - those with a personal vested interest in development - having a huge incentive to get themselves into positions of power on community councils so they can take decisions to their own personal advantage.

Planning is difficult. It needs to be led by professionals who do not have a personal interest in the outcome and can properly examine all issues.

Roy Turnbull

Nethy Bridge

Inverness-shire