SIR – The news that the Council is in something of a crisis over the provision of allotments should not come as a surprise (T&A, April 18). The shortage of suitable land has not been helped by allowing new developments to happen almost exclusively on greenfield sites.

Bradford is awash with brownfield sites that should be built on first. So it makes no sense to have sacrificed the 15 acres of prime agricultural land at Buck Lane to the arrogance of companies who refuse to build on anything else but green fields. The site could have been used for allotments.

It is time that the Council started putting the needs of its citizens first rather than constantly giving in to the greed of developers and the lack of responsibility of some businesses. City Hall has a brownfield-first policy. It should be enforced.

Ed Butterworth, St James Road, Shipley