Doctored letters have thrown hundreds of York residents into turmoil over Christmas, leading many to believe a 'halfway house' is to open on their doorstep.

Hull Road resident Richard Wells shows the letter he received

The letters, referring to the proposed conversion of The Elms, a residential building in Hull Road, have had extra text added which states that "ex-prisoners and homeless people" will be moving in, causing widespread concern among neighbours.

"I have written to the council to object to the proposals," said Richard Wells, of nearby Milson Grove, "on the grounds that we could be subject to the sort of behaviour that has been responsible for them being put there in the first place.

"It seems this has been kept quiet for quite obvious reasons."

Mr Wells did not receive a copy of the original letter, only the version with additional typed text.

"The notification letter from the Council to residents adjacent to the site has been 'doctored' by someone who has added false information," said Coun Derek Smallwood, the Walmgate ward councillor, "implying that the development will be occupied by 'people who have been evicted from other council areas'.

"This is just not true."

Concerned residents who have contacted the council have been warned the doctored letter contains "inaccurate facts", and reassured that the conversion is simply for 16 new houses and flats to be given to those "on the housing waiting list".

A number of residents have received photocopies of the doctored letter.

Paul Stamp, housing development manager, said: "People will be allocated the eight flats and eight houses from the York housing waiting list in the usual way."

Mr Wells added: "The fact that no-one on our street received the original letter makes it easier to believe the council had something to hide.

"Whether or not the new housing will house the sort of people described in the copy of the letter, it will still affect us."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.