I can reassure EE Birch (Letters May 4) that the Weald Avenue allotment site is certainly not being run-down. Far from it.

These allotments are one of 34 sites managed by the council. The site contain 336 plots.

In common with all sites the allotments are actively managed for the benefit of existing allotment tenants and to allow those on the waiting list the opportunity to take on an allotment.

There are currently four vacant plots at Weald Avenue that are on offer to people on the waiting list.

Recently, 21 notices to quit were sent out on the basis of non-payment of rent and these plots will eventually be offered to those on the waiting list once the legal process is completed.

Since last October, there have been 40 new lettings.

Cultivation surveys are carried out every spring and summer to identify sites which are no longer in use and can be freed up to be let to new tenants.

-Councillor Gill Mitchell,Chairwoman, Brighton and Hove City Council environment committee