READING the letter about the allotment holder on Fulford Cross, the one phrase that jumped out at me from the council was "showed higher than expected concentrations of lead and arsenic".

The council is just trying to scare people into giving up their allotment because it is not saying the levels are dangerous, just that they are higher than the level expected.

The council might have expected to find none of the substances they mentioned, so by finding the substances they are higher than expected.

Does the council think people are stupid? It uses the phrase higher than expected and expects people to assume that means it is dangerous.

Just because there is a waiting list for allotments, it doesn't mean the council cannot sell the land off if people give up their allotments.

I believe the council knew that arsenic was used as a weedkiller in Victorian times and tried to use this to its advantage, with the effect that allotment holders would give up their plots so the council could sell the land to the highest bidder, more than likely a property developer, but it was surprised that an allotment holder knew this information as well.

Dean Stockton, Marjorie Waite Court, Clifton, York.

  • A City of York Council spokesman said: "Once again, we welcome the opportunity to confirm that the council has absolutely no plans whatsoever to build on the allotments.

"Over the past few years, the council has spent a considerable amount of time and effort promoting and regenerating allotments, and most sites are now full.

"Fulford Cross allotments is a popular site with a waiting list, and forms a key part of the council provision.

"Steps to raise awareness of the higher than expected levels of lead and arsenic were taken so that allotment holders are able to make informed decisions based on the advice offered by the Health Protection Agency.

"Until further tests have been carried out to help us to understand the situation more clearly, we felt that it was only appropriate to keep allotment holders fully informed."