ALLOTMENT owners say plans to remove their plots will leave the area looking like a 'barren wasteland'

The plot owners at Tower View received notice three weeks ago that they were being moved off the site to allow the council to 'bulldoze' the land.

Paul Fielding, who has lived in Marsh House Lane for nearly 20 years, shares an allotment with his neighbour.

The grandfather-of-two, who is disabled, relies on the allotment to keep him active.

He said: "I'm disgusted that this is going through in such a secretive under handed way.

"They only sent notifications to the people who own the allotments and garages, so I wouldn't have even known about it if a neighbour hadn't told me.

"They've got no plans to build anything on it once they bulldoze the land.

"One morning we are going to wake up and we'll be looking over a barren wasteland.

"And to think the council were complaining to the paper last week because someone cut down some young trees.

"And now they are going to cut down every tree round Tower View, for a perspective buyer."

"The allotment is the only thing keeping me going, it gives me focus.

"I'll just sit in a chair and seize up like an old man."

Borough regeneration boss Cllr Phil Riley said: "This site has always been owned by the council and site users were told about the possibility of development in 2014 and have been kept to up to date with recent developments.

"The six site users who live in the borough have been offered alternative sites."

Like the neighbouring Bailey's Field, which has been earmarked for housing since the 90's, council bosses are hoping the flat land will encourage housing developers to invest.

Cllr Riley said: "The Tower View site is connected to the development of Bailey's Field.

"Once these sites are developed they will provide local residents and aspiring families with a greater choice and quality of new homes.

"Housing Growth is a key priority for the borough and the council has set a target of 9,365 new homes to be built by 2026 in order to attract new residents, increase the stock of high quality and affordable new housing and stimulate the local economy."

Cllr Kevin Conner, of Marsh House ward, said: "It's a tricky one because the residents do not own the allotments, they rent them.

"It's true the council have been asked to build 9000 homes, but any number is always up for negotiation.

"They are hoping by preparing the land for housing it will lure in perspective buyers but it's not going to work.

"The Tower View site on its own is too small, and there are an estimated twenty mine shafts under Bailey's Field so no one will want to build on there, it's too dangerous.

"It really is the horse before the cart."