York Labour Council’s proposal to sell off Beckfield Lane Waste Depot as housing land presupposes that someone will buy it.

There are no buyers for residential land at Terry’s, Nestlé South, British Sugar or Central Teardrop. What makes the council think that things will be different at Beckfield Lane; especially when the site is one with potentially expensive contamination issues?

If the waste facility is closed down a valuable local asset will be lost and the site will remain empty for years.

Any small saving on the running costs will be wiped out by the increased costs of having to deal with illegal dumping by those unable or unwilling to trek across town with their refuse.

The whole proposal is rubbish in every sense of the word.

Matthew Laverack, Architect of this parish, Lord Mayor’s Walk, York.