Letter to John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance & Sustainable Growth in the Scottish Government, from Willie Rennie

1.11.45pm GMT Wed 23rd Jan 2008

Dear John

You will have recently received representations on the proposals by Scarborough for the Rosyth Waterfront. I wish to put on the record that I am opposed to the redesignation of ALL the land classed as the "Rosyth Waterfront" to mixed use from industrial at this stage. There is no doubt that this would increase the value of the land owned by the Scarborough Muir group but this in itself could have a detrimental effect on the expansion of the Port businesses and business that may be attracted to support the construction of the aircraft carriers.

It would be illogical if just at a time when Rosyth is about to see one of its busiest industrial periods since the hay days of the Dockyard we were to restrict the potential number of jobs by building houses and shops on the very land that could deliver many of those jobs.

I am not opposed to a redesignation of some of the land that may be surplus to the requirements of the port, the dockyard or the new bridge. We should also revisit the issue once we have a clearer idea of the longer term industrial needs of the area after the carriers and bridge are built.

I recognise and salute the initiative and energy of the Scarborough Muir group but fundamentally believe that their proposals could stifle the economic potential of the area.

Yours sincerely,

Willie Rennie