HAVING read "the facts" of the Queen Anne School sale saga according to Rod Hills (May 24) and the chairman of St Peter's School governors (May 15) it seems clear to me that this is a "non story" spun by Coun Hills in an attempt to show strong political leadership with perhaps an element of the socialist public versus private sector battle.

If, as Rod Hills tells us, the council has always held the view that the sale of the Queen Anne site was not to be linked with any planning consideration for the Avenue site then St Peter's attempts to do so was dead in the water from the start, although I believe, in the circumstances, they were right to try.

Everyone knew that the St Peter's site would be sold for development and the planning applications will have to be considered under the due processes.

I am pleased to see that, according to Coun Hills, the council has listened to and acted upon the wishes of local residents albeit that, as far as the sale is concerned, this has resulted in a substantial loss to the public purse.

Let us hope the council has turned over a new leaf and continues to listen to and, particularly, act upon the wishes of residents. But then, pigs might fly and we are not all residents of Rod Hills' ward.

Richard Starks,

The Green,

Elvington, York.