Oh dear Coun Margaret Leicester, you've entirely missed the point (The facts behind quarrying issue', Echo May 15).
Frankly, it's a moot point that it was Portland Urban District Council who granted the stone firms these mineral consents to quarry back in 1949 as opposed to Dorset County Council.
The current reality is that the county council has responsibility for them today and it is today that Portland's communities are confronted with all the destructive implications of quarrying on the coastal strip between Southwell and Portland Bill.
Coun Leicester touchingly implies that the present owner of the proposed quarrying area is sensitive to the international and local importance of the coast.
This is rather than the more likely awareness of a piece of land rich in highly profitable potential compensation packages if the stone firms can be persuaded not to go ahead.
There appears to almost a tradition on this island for its local politicians to be complacent about the political system's ability and desire to deliver results.
Writing letters to Jim Knight MP and signing an on line petition alone won't stop the proposed quarrying here in Portland.
I have enough campaigning experience to suggest the following plan of action needs to be adopted if we are to stop the quarrying.
First, the calling of an action public meeting, to follow the recent Portland Partnership information meeting at the Heights Hotel, which might be sponsored by Portland Town Council.
Second, the formation of a Portland Campaign Alliance, the local version of the White Horse Alliance which is fighting the building of the Westbury bypass, which might include Portland Partnership, Southwell Action Group, Portland Town Council, the Chesil School Partnership and Underhill Forum. It could also engage bodies such as the National Trust and the Campaign to Preserve Rural England.
Third, that this Portland Campaign Alliance launches a dynamic high profile campaign in which the whole island community can become engaged. Actions might include an arm linking protest from Southwell to Portland Bill, basically hundreds of people holding outstretched arms on the verge going out to the lighthouse.
Southwell Junior School children might be asked to build a model of how the coastal strip might look with the scar of quarrying ripping up its unique environment - which might 'go on tour' to Portland Museum and the Chesil Centre - an awareness exercise.
There could be a mass protest meeting in a popular location. People will also have lots of campaigning ideas of their own.
Time is of the essence - these quarrying proposals are likely to be set in motion in the near future unless a compensation package is put on the table quickly.
A successful campaign requires all of Portland's communities of interests to come together as a matter of urgency.
I'm happy to work with Margaret or anybody else on the island that is committed to putting their energy into a collective effort to stop the quarrying. I'll even sign the on-line petition!
Coun Richard Denton-White, Fortuneswell, Portland.
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