THE letter from Martin Kyrle (July 7) regarding Eastleigh allotments was lacking in facts and rather high in rhetoric. This was not surprising as Mr Kyrle is an ex-Lib Dem councillor sycophantic to the council's policy of stripping Eastleigh of precious and irreplaceable green open spaces.

Mr Kyrle is incorrect in questioning the quality of the South Street allotments which has the finest soil in the town.

But he is correct that a section of ground at the adjacent Monks Way site that was not sustainable as allotments and was abandoned some 20 years ago.

What he failed to say was that this land is where the council has built the replacement allotments and I am sure that all allotment growers will thank Mr Kyrle for drawing attention to how bad this site is.

Mr Kyrle's claim that the law requires that the council must make best use of its assets is a little warped in its logic as the law is quite clear that the council has an obligation to provide allotments if more than six people request them.

Eastleigh has over 300 people asking for an allotment. If he believes that the allotments issue can now be brushed away, he is going to be extremely disappointed.

The appalling treatment of Eastleigh allotment gardeners by the council is now a nationwide issue and it will continue to haunt this council for a long time to come.

RICHARD MAY, Eastleigh.