Ex-Douglas Driver,
I agree with your overall assessment.
The four legs of the circuit would not comply with the NAP however, but that is by the by.
The runway aligned non-precision approach (VD) is the most efficient in my view.
What I am therefore most surprised by is the number of aircraft electing to do the Visual STAR.
Should the pilot nominate the intended runway whilst still in CTA?
I think so because the tracking varies - there aircraft separation has to be applied.
The 4000FT is not an MDA as such, but is the minimum assignable by ATC until cleared to leave and stems from fact that the control service terminates leaving 4000.