Suggest to the class that they are an advisory group to the Minister for the Environment. Make reports for the minister listing the options and their consequences, choosing one of the options as your recommendation.

(Perhaps a flip chart would be good to use in this situation)

They have been asked for their advice in two cases, they could choose one or report on both:

i)

• A large company has discovered a special stone that it wants to quarry right on the edge of a town, which is in an area of outstanding natural beauty. This stone is in short supply but is crucial to the national road building programme.

• Since the shoe factory shut down there are many local people who are unemployed and the company promises that it will provide significant local employment.

• The people on an executive estate near to the proposed quarry are furious and have formed an action group. They mostly commute by car away from the town for work.

• The unemployed of the town mostly do not have cars, the bus service is very poor and takes a long time to get to the nearest towns, and the railway station was closed many years ago but the lines is still open. The local hotel owners who rely on tourism are also very concerned.

• The local council wants the minister to allow the project to go ahead.

• What would you advise and what are the alternatives. If you refuse the company permission to quarry it then offers the town a much-needed new primary school. Does this change you mind? The instructor should endeavour to play devil's advocate in this discussion.

ii)

A large company has applied for permission to build an out of town shopping development near a small market town. Ask the class to list the points they consider important to consider when making their decision.