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建築計画申請への異議を述べる正式な手紙

名前:日付:

異議を述べる正式な手紙を書きます。自分に意見を述べる資格があることを示し、妥当な点は認め、的確な根拠を挙げ、具体的な措置を求めます。

Objection to application HB/2291: Millers' Green

14 Linden Row, Harrowby. To: The Planning Officer, Harrowby Borough Council.

Dear Sir or Madam,

Re: Application HB/2291, proposed conversion of Millers' Green into a surface car park

I am writing to register my objection to the above application. I have lived within two hundred metres of the Green for nineteen years, and I write both as a resident and as secretary of the Linden Row Residents' Association.

I appreciate that the town centre has long suffered from congestion, and I do not dispute that additional parking would ease it to some degree. It is, however, difficult to reconcile the applicant's claim that the scheme would enhance the amenity of the area with the loss of the only open space within walking distance of two schools and a care home.

My principal concerns are as follows. First, the transport assessment submitted with the application rests on traffic counts taken during the school holidays and therefore seriously understates likely volumes at peak times. Second, the proposed access road would cross a footpath used daily by several hundred children, a risk that the assessment mentions only in passing. Finally, the loss of eleven mature trees, three of which are protected, is dismissed in a single sentence, with no commitment to replacement planting.

I would respectfully suggest that the Committee defer its decision until the applicant has submitted traffic data gathered during term time and a fuller account of the measures proposed to protect pedestrians. Should the Committee be minded to approve the scheme, I trust that a condition requiring the retention of the protected trees would be attached.

I should be grateful if you would confirm receipt of this letter and inform me of the date on which the application is to be considered, as I wish to address the Committee in person.

Yours faithfully, Nuria Castellanos, Secretary, Linden Row Residents' Association

最も適切な改まった選択肢を選びましょう

異議を述べる正式な手紙で最も適切な選択肢を選びましょう。

Which sentence best states the purpose of the letter?
- a) I just wanted to say I am not happy about the plan.
- b) Stop this plan right now.
- c) I am writing to register my objection to the above application.
Which sentence acknowledges the other side before objecting?
- a) I do not dispute that additional parking would ease congestion; it is, however, difficult to justify the loss of the Green.
- b) Parking is of no concern to me and never was.
- c) Everyone knows that parking is a poor excuse for destroying parks.
- d) Congestion is not a problem at all.
The assessment mentions the risk to children only ___.
- a) by passing
- b) at passing
- c) on passing
- d) in passing
It is difficult to ___ the applicant's claim with the loss of the only open space.
- a) settle
- b) reconcile
- c) compromise
- d) adjust
Which expression is closest in meaning to "Should the Committee be minded to approve the scheme"?
- a) Because the Committee must approve the scheme
- b) Unless the Committee approves the scheme
- c) If the Committee were inclined to approve the scheme
- d) Although the Committee has approved the scheme
Which request is both firm and appropriately tentative?
- a) I demand that the Committee reject the application.
- b) I would respectfully suggest that the Committee defer its decision.
- c) The Committee must defer its decision.
Which sentence is best for the final paragraph?
- a) Get back to me when you can, OK?
- b) I should be grateful if you would confirm receipt of this letter.
- c) Please do not ignore this letter like the last one.

フォーマルな表現を完成させる

各文を完成させるために、1語か、かっこ内の語の形を入力しましょう。

I am writing to ___ my objection to the above application.
I do not ___ that additional parking would ease congestion.
The transport assessment rests ___ traffic counts taken during the school holidays.
The counts seriously ___ likely volumes at peak times. (understate)
I trust that a condition ___ the retention of the protected trees would be attached. (require)
Should the Committee be ___ to approve the scheme, I trust that conditions would be attached.
Dear Sir or Madam, ... Yours ___,

ライティング課題

地元の小さな博物館を運営する財団が、閲覧室をカフェに変える計画を立てています。あなたはその閲覧室をいつも利用しています。この計画に異議を述べる正式な手紙を、財団の理事長 Mr Adeyemi 宛てに書きましょう。自分が誰であるかを述べ、妥当な点を1つ認め、根拠を2つか3つ挙げ、具体的な措置を求めてください。

280〜340語

文章を確認する

正しい挨拶と、それに合った改まった結びの言葉を使いました。
最初の段落で手紙の目的を述べ、自分がなぜ意見を述べる資格があるのかを書きました。
異議を述べる前に、妥当な点を1つ認めました。
根拠を2つか3つ、わかりやすい順序で挙げました。
具体的な措置を、丁寧ながら毅然とした言い方で求めました。
短縮形、感嘆符、感情的な表現を避けました。

解答

最も適切な改まった選択肢を選びましょう

c) I am writing to register my objection to the above application.これは標準的な改まった書き出しで、率直でありながら丁寧です。ほかはくだけているか、唐突です。
a) I do not dispute that additional parking would ease congestion; it is, however, difficult to justify the loss of the Green.まず妥当な点を認めてから、異議を述べています。ほかの選択肢は、退けたり誇張したりしています。
d) in passingIn passing は「簡単に、または注意を払わずに」という意味の固定表現です。
b) reconcileReconcile something with something は、一見対立する2つのものを両立させるという意味です。
c) If the Committee were inclined to approve the schemeShould + 主語 + be minded to は、「委員会がその気になるならば」という意味の改まった条件表現です。
b) I would respectfully suggest that the Committee defer its decision.Would respectfully suggest は丁寧でありながら、書き手の望むことをはっきり述べています。
b) I should be grateful if you would confirm receipt of this letter.礼儀正しく、実際的な依頼をしているからです。ほかはくだけているか、非難めいています。

フォーマルな表現を完成させる

register / lodge / voice / express / raise / submit / record / stateこれらの動詞はすべて、改まった手紙で objection とコロケーションをなします。register と lodge が最も一般的です。
dispute / deny / doubt / question / contest / challengeDo not dispute は「事実として受け入れる」という意味で、その後に書き手が異議を唱えることに話が移ります。
on / uponRest on（または upon）は「〜に基づいている」という意味です。
understate / underestimate / understated / underestimatedUnderstate は「実際より小さく表現する」という意味です。Counts は複数形なので、understates ではなく understate を使います（過去形の understated も使えます）。
requiring分詞節 requiring ... が条件を述べています。
minded / inclined / disposed / prepared / willingBe minded to、be inclined to、be disposed to、be prepared to はすべて「進んで〜する」という意味です。
faithfullyDear Sir or Madam で始まる手紙は、イギリス英語では Yours faithfully で結びます。

解答例

Dear Mr Adeyemi,

Re: Proposed conversion of the reading room into a café

I am writing to express my concern at the trust's plan to replace the museum's reading room with a café. I have used the room at least twice a week for six years, and I write as a member of the museum and as a volunteer who helps to catalogue the local archive.

I understand that the museum must find new sources of income, and I do not doubt that a café would attract additional visitors. It is, however, hard to see how the scheme can be reconciled with the trust's stated aim of promoting local history, since the reading room is the only place where the public may consult the town records and photograph collection.

My objections are threefold. First, the plans offer no alternative space for the archive, which would be placed in storage and available only by appointment. Second, the room's quiet is essential to those who work there, many of whom are elderly or students who cannot study at home. Finally, the figures quoted in the consultation paper assume that the café will be profitable within a year, but they include no allowance for the cost of refitting a listed building.

I would therefore respectfully ask that the trust postpone its decision until a full financial assessment has been published and the views of regular users have been sought. I would also suggest that the trustees consider placing the café in the former entrance hall, which is currently unused.

I should be grateful if you would acknowledge this letter and let me know when the matter will be discussed, as several readers would wish to attend.

Yours sincerely, Tobias Lindgren