YEP letters: December 9

Will more building work increase the risk of flooding? Can we bring back jobs to Britain and who says crime doesn't pay - it makes a good living for lawyers! These topics and more are covered by you, the reader in today's letters and comments.

Special service for the “lasses”

Coun Pauleen Graham, Crossgates and Whinmoor Ward

I WOULD like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who worked so hard organising the 100 years Anniversary in Manston Park at the Barnbow Lasses Memorial.

The Memorial was unveiled after a lot of hard work by the Cross Gates Forum, on December 4 2012.

Each year we hold an event which attracts more and more people exactly what we wanted to bring the tragedy that cost so many lives of those working in the factory to save others .

It is amazing how the memorial has created interest where people have discovered that they are related to one of the Barnbow Lasses that was the aim of Bob and Jackie Lawrence, ELHS, myself , Coun Peter Gruen , our late colleague Coun Suzi Armitage and Richard Burgon MP.

The wonderful LCC parks department who tend the flower beds and David from the Barnbow Pub who provides the refreshments at each event. We look forward to a bigger crowd next year.

Thank you all.

We should not build homes on flood plains

Daphne Kelly,Cookridge Drive, Cookridge, Leeds

Leeds is faced with yet more flood misery and expense this year, due in part to planners not caring where building takes place, as in the controversial case of “ Soggy Bottom” in Cookridge.

In addition to the risks of flooding to homes to be built on this site and increased flooding to the homes and gardens of already existing residents, there are wider implications.

Moseley Beck, situated at the base of the site, joins the River Aire 1.5 miles downstream, and thus contributed to the flooding at Kirkstall last December. As a consequence of the development in progress the Beck’s contribution to future floods will be increased, both because of the displacement of water caused by the construction of houses, roads, fences etc; and because the drainage system currently being constructed will cause much faster run off into the Beck.

This year Leeds City Council (LCC) has been amongst the most vociferous in calling for increased flood defence funding from central government.

However, every time they grant permission to develop a flood plain they are magnifying the risk of future flooding to people’s homes and businesses and so helping to raise the cost of flood defences.

In addition LCC has the dubious distinction of having granted permission for the largest number of developments in the country in areas of great flood risk between 2001 and 2011. Who cares about the people ?

Bring back the work to Britain

B. Duffy, by email.

It’s very nice to hear that Rachel Reeves has found time to write a book about a true Labour stalwart, Alice Bacon.