The BV magazine, May ‘23 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Letters to the Editor
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On planning applications I am concerned about the number of recent planning applications submitted by developers in our area - as discussed in Rachael Rowe’s excellent article of the March issue (Is North Dorset overwhelmed with housing developments?).It has recently come to my personal attention that developers may not always disclose all details within their applications, leaving room for potential harm to our neighbourhoods. I would like to urge all local residents to take the time to thoroughly examine the documents submitted by developers. If you wish to object to a proposal, it is imperative to review all submitted materials with a critical eye. It may seem overwhelming at first, given the volume of paperwork, but I believe this is precisely what the developers intend. They may use excessive documentation to obfuscate important details or hide major gaps in their proposals. As communities, we must not let ourselves be overwhelmed by the daunting task of reviewing these applications. Rather, we should work together, dividing the paperwork and sharing our findings with one another. By doing so, we can ensure that all developments adhere to the needs and requirements of it’s neighbours. I encourage all residents to take an active role in reviewing local planning applications and voicing their concerns when necessary. As a united community, we can welcome much-needed excellent housing expansions, but also prevent undesirable developments, ensuring that our area remains a great place to live for years to come. J Nailsea, Sherborne On climate protesters Criticism of climate protesters is a sad indictment of how seriously many view the looming crisis. The criticism most widely hurled at these various forms of direct action is that they are counterproductive, that they antagonise ordinary people and make them stop listening. There is an obvious reply. No one was listening in the first place, before the activists took to the streets. Even endless scientific warnings have made little impact on public or government 92
behaviour. The establishment media have paid only lip service to the dangers, even as the effects on the climate have become harder to overlook. And governments have made placatory noises while doing nothing meaningful to reverse the collision course humanity is on. There have been repeated promises to stay under 1.5ºC of global warming while already emitting enough greenhouse gases to cause an increase that means we have little chance of avoiding staying under 2ºC with what we are doing. We need change on a scale that no one is grasping, apart from the protesters, and I appreciate how drastically they are trying to get that message across. The future looks pretty dire. If we lose the biodiversity we lose everything, there’s no going back. It scares me a lot. Its not a rebellion we need. Its a revolution. M Holderness, Charlton On complaining businesses As a newly-retired woman who has successfully run my own business for most of my life, I have recently been surprised at the number of local business owners that dismiss, belittle or simply moan about social media. The internet is no longer new, and businesses have had many, many years to adapt to the ever-evolving digital landscape. It is crucial for businesses to embrace change and adapt to survive in today’s competitive market. Publicly complaining about the ways of the modern world is, in my opinion, the fastest way to make your brand appear old, dated, and irrelevant to a new audience. The most successful businesses are those that attract and retain new customers by staying current, utilising the tools and technologies available to them; and in 2023 that has to include social media. I am astonished at the many older, established local businesses who not only struggle to adapt to a newer business model, but publicly bemoan the need to! Social media platforms offer businesses an incredible opportunity to engage with their audience, build brand awareness and promote their products or services. By dismissing or belittling these platforms, local businesses will