Sir - It is not correct to say that the stretch of land at Buck Street and Hopton Street, behind St John’s cemetery, is a park with the same status as Cripplegate and other city parks (Letters, “Whatever he says, our park is for sale!”, 29 January).

This site seems to have been nicknamed “Sanctuary Park” in recent years, but it’s never been recognised or maintained as a park as Cripplegate, Gheluvelt, the Riverside Park and others are.

Worcester City Council originally acquired this land in 1938 as part of a larger site needed to extend the cemetery.

In more recent years we have retained ownership of it as a possible extension to the allotments.

The land has now been put forward as a potential site for 30 new homes under the South Worcestershire Development Plan. If house building does go ahead, around half of the site will continue to be part of the city’s green network.

For the record, although work is underway to investigate the contracting out of their operation, we are not selling any of our parks.

Duncan Sharkey

Managing Director

Worcester City Council