YORK is special for many reasons but not least because it sits in the fertile plain of York amid some of the best quality agricultural land in the country.

There is no better time to witness the abundance of this rich agricultural land surrounding us than at this time of the year as the harvest is being brought in.

Fields full of wheat, barley, oats, maize and other crops such as potatoes can easily be seen when travelling along either the north or south bypass.

So when we talk about preserving York’s green belt we should remember much of this land is productive farmland and is helping to feed us.

All high grade farm land should be ring-fenced as a national asset.

This land is far too precious for its fate to be left to the desires and vagaries of the local landowners, politics and planning.

When it comes to looking at housing needs or other infrastructure projects, other less productive land must be used first and high quality farmland only ever used when there is no other available.

David Smith, Church Street, Copmanthorpe, York