Forests’ key role in carbon capture

Despite protestations to the contrary, leasing out any asset for a period of 150 years is essentially disposal (Yorkshire Post, February 12). Where this involves a large forest estate, in our increasingly carbon-conscious world, this makes no sense whatsoever.

As far as I aware, there is no major problem with the Forestry Commission being both a regulator and a commercial supplier – this arrangement has worked for many years.

Similarly, local groups interested in the management of their local woodland largely enjoy a good working relationship with the Forestry Commission, and such arrangements can be strengthened without the need for local people to have to lease their own forests.

What is most surprising, however, is that our supposedly environmentally-aware politicians have failed to appreciate that the English forest estate sequesters (locks-up) 250,000 tonnes of carbon each year – sufficient to cover the carbon footprint of Parliament, with a healthy surplus to go towards the environmental cost of general elections.

The most sensible means for Parliament to retain the carbon credits for its own use is to maintain its existing responsibility for forest management – and to stop wasting valuable Parliamentary time on this.”

Design is low on the list

From: Peter Latham, Worrall Road, Wadsley, Sheffield.

I SHARE Mr Wilson’s concern (Yorkshire Post, February 10) about the poor quality of most buildings that receive planning permission. But I fear he may be wrong to blame the Town and Country Planning Act 1947.

I have been dealing with planning applications for a large local authority for many years, and can vouch for the low priority that most developers give to character, design and place-making generally.

Partly they seem unwilling to spend money on a good architect, and maybe not all architects are guided by the surroundings of their client’s site.

Developers with their own funds to invest may be prouder of what they are doing, and want to do it well. But where they have to go to a bank for funds, then the unseen hand of the funding criteria can take centre stage.

They can influence or even determine the outcome without a banker ever being present in the meetings.

All is not gloom however, and there is some good practice to the credit of all concerned. Many post-war buildings have been listed for the excellence of their concept, design and execution.

A surprising number are churches of inspired design. Elaine Harwood’s book A Guide to Post-War Listed Buildings (English Heritage) is worth a look for readers who are interested.

Start of a passion

From: Brian Sheridan, Redmires Road, Sheffield.

I have not seen Opera North’s Carmen, but Maureen Hunt’s disappointment with Daniel Kramer’s new production (Yorkshire Post, February 9) contrasts with my first experience of Bizet’s masterpiece.

I had taken time off GCE revision to see Otto Preminger’s film version of the opera, also set in America, but with Afro-American lyrics. I didn’t know Bizet from Bismarck; in fact I thought I was about to see a western with Carmen Jones as a sort of Annie Oakley.

Far from being disappointed, I was enthralled. From the famous overture to the tragic finale I was gripped by the music.

Film critics may say that this was not a great movie as such, and with hindsight I would have to agree. But I now know that it was Georges Bizet and it was opera. The musical director had wisely remained faithful to the score, and unashamedly dubbed over the main singing using world class artists such as the great Marilyn Horne.

There was no gimmickry. There was passion, but none of the gratuitous sex which now seems mandatory. The result was that the music was the star of the show.

Empty air over refunds

From: Michael Smith, Huddersfield.

I WAS most interested to read of Mr O’Reilly’s anger at his holiday in Sharm-el-Sheikh being cut short by Jet 2 on the grounds of putting passenger safety first (Yorkshire Post, February 10).

I tend to go along with Mr O’Reilly’s instincts that it is more a matter of filling empty seats.

However, he needs to be warned if he doesn’t follow their instructions to the absolute letter, he might well have a lot of hoops to jump through to get his refund if he ever gets it at all.

I was an unfortunate victim of the volcanic ash problem last year, but my circumstances didn’t fit precisely with their eligibility for refunds. Nevertheless, they appeared to apply some flexibility and informed me I was eligible, and they had actually paid the refund into my account.

Seven weeks later, after no money arrived, they denied any obligation to pay it.