Sir,

It is with disbelief that we learn that Clr. Rowlands 'spearheaded' a campaign to stop a Materials Recycling facility in his home village.

Whilst trying to convince us that this was 'different', Clr. Rowlands claims that he would be 'very concerned about any unit that causes a problem'. If Clr. Rowlands paid a visit to Brooklands and met our relatives, he may begin to understand and share our concerns.

Clr. Rowlands may be confident that it won't affect our 'dear people', however as his expertise is clearly not in the clinical management of dementia and Alzheimer's, he may not be in the best position to quantify that statement. However, we do have numerous letters from health professionals, including two consultant psychiatrists who are familiar with our 'dear people', who say that it will affect them.

Both are in agreement that the site will most certainly have a detrimental effect on the residents which could result 'in increased challenging behaviour and deterioration of their condition'.

This will cause a problem for these vulnerable people.

Of course he and his spokesman would claim it is 'different'. We would not expect him to say it would be the same.

For certain, what is different about the site next to our relatives home to that site in Johnston, is that Clr. Rowlands does not live in Brooklands, neither is it a few feet away from his bedroom window, and neither does Clr. Rowlands have a debilitating illness that would have prevented him from opposing something he felt was inappropriate in his village.

What is the same, is that whatever the detail of the sort of waste that the sites would contain, the number and type of vehicles and people that would use it, is that Clr. Rowlands felt that his home village was 'not the place to do it', just as we feel, next door to our loved ones home, is 'not the place to do it.'

We feel it is equally as 'obscene' to site it next to the home of 40 people who have complex mental health needs. What is absolutely certain is that we feel as strongly about our proposal, as Clr. Rowlands did about his.

Clr. Rowlands can try to convince us all he likes that it was 'different'; to us it is the same. 'It is like comparing apples and pears,' he tells us ... let us ask you Clr. Rowlands, are apples and pears not both fruit?

Brooklands Relatives

Support Group.