Charity site ‘was not suitable for purpose’ Sir - While I’m sorry for SCAD (Skipton & Craven Action for Disability) in that they’ve apparently lost their first choice of site for their proposed premises, I don’t think it can realistically be denied that the site applied for in Embsay wasn’t suitable for such a project.

The village of Embsay is struggling hard to retain the last vestiges of rurality. Most of our farms have gone bust and been sold off to rich people to build their mini ‘estates’. Our green fields have been built over during a rapid expansion of housing and the whole village, less than ten streets when I was born here in the 1950s, is rapidly approaching the size and characteristics of a town.

The small field applied for in their application desperately needs to be retained - both as one of our last green spaces and also for its vital function as part of a long strip of wildlife corridor which runs through the village right up to the moors.

At present the field in question is used for agricultural purposes which fit in well with the village, being a source of free-range eggs for the villagers. Living in proximity to this field, I can also vouch for the spiritual and mental wellbeing which stems from living near such a green space containing both farm animals and wildlife. The children of the street also love their regular ritual of feeding the geese and hens and I myself am good pals with the goat and I often feed her spare apples.

The building proposed was more in keeping with a business park or industrial estate than a village. I can’t understand why SCAD haven’t snapped up the ex-premises of our much-missed Pennine buses. According to the planning application, SCAD obviously have at least £400,000 to spend on their scheme. The ex-Pennine garage would be ideal for a minibus depot and the site is large enough for all their needs. As poor Pennine went bust (due to locals preferring their private cars and refusing to use the buses), the premises must surely be quite cheap in price?

Carol Oliver Wood View Embsay Councillor’s thanks Sir - I would like to take this opportunity of thanking Skipton North Ward residents for allowing me the privilege of serving you for 18 years both as Craven district chairman and councillor.

I have always taken the role responsibly and seriously and hope that I have contributed in some way to address your concerns and issues without fear and favour.

I have been a member of policy, audit and for 15 years planning, including fighting inspectors, especially against the High Street complex agreed by the Independent/Liberal administration.

I am now disappointed that a candidate and promoter who are after my ‘blood’ state that the reason for not going to meetings is ‘a waste of time’. Meetings are for the public and members’ role is to challenge officers and make decisions. Over the years, I have rarely missed a committee meeting and have read all documents which has enabled me to challenge officers on your behalf.

Once again I thank you for your support.

Marcia Turner Grassington Road Skipton Working for whom?

Sir - Mr Richard Colley (Letters, April 23) quoting different sources says the UK is ‘working’. Is it and, if so, who are the beneficiaries of this rosy picture ? Because from where I view the situation the picture of Britain is much different.

According to Trussell Trust figures, well over 1 million people were given emergency food and support in 2014/2015 – an absolute explosion from the number in 2009/2010 of 40,898 people receiving the same help.

This huge rise is overwhelmingly because of benefit changes, delays and sanctions or low pay – 66 per cent of those referred to foodbanks in 2014/15 fell into this category, with over 50 pedr cent due to direct benefit changes or delays. These are the welfare changes the Tory-led coalition government trumpet as being a great success !

It is not a success at all – it is shocking and utterly shameful. It is a scandal in 21st-century Britain, the fifth richest nation on earth, that the poorest in our society are treated in such an abysmal way. So, the ‘UK is working’ slogan has not benefitted everyone, far from it.

Even the jobs created are not full time decent jobs – the TUC say only one in 40 net new jobs is full-time, many others being insecure, low-paid zero-hours contracts now totalling over 1.8 million.

So any warm glowing, feel-good factor experienced under this government has been felt, as always, by the very rich... while ordinary workers have been squeezed and the poor made even poorer.

Ralph Quigley Crosshills Road Cononley Hitting fresh heights Sir - Whilst in no way wishing to denigrate the excellent aims of the Walk Society in raising funds for Yorkshire Air Ambulance by “conquering the 12 highest peaks in the UK and Ireland”, I wonder which measuring system they are using (Businessmen to climb 12 peaks in 12 months, Craven Herald, April 30).

Having thus far ascended five peaks, including Scafell Pike – the highest in England at 3,210ft, (like Wainwright, I prefer my mountains in feet rather than metres), they are next tackling Helvellyn at 3,117ft.

Assuming that Scotland is still part of the UK, it has around 170 peaks higher than Scafell Pike, not to mention a further six in Wales and four in Ireland.

Perhaps they are working their way up to the highest 12 – in any case, I wish them well in their endeavours for a very worthwhile cause.

Julian Hide North Street Sutton-in-Craven