The growing popularity of allotments has led Poole Council to seek ways of providing more.

Currently there are eight allotment sites in the borough containing 409 plots.

But there are 715 people on the waiting list who could have to wait 18 years before being able to plant their own fruit and veg – or may never get one at all.

“Waiting lists in Poole are considerable and if the current turnover of plots is maintained some applicants may never be allocated a plot in their lifetime,” said a report that went before councillors.

Borough of Poole is to set up a working party of councillors and undertake a review, which will look at the whole provision of allotments in the town.

Effects of the recession and the growing awareness of environmental and health benefits from home-grown food are believed to have contributed to the demand.

“There’s more unemployment, the credit crunch, budgets are tight so people are going for allotments,” said Cllr Peter Adams, cabinet portfolio holder for leisure.

Clive Smith, head of leisure services said: “The review will want to look at how we can better meet demand. For example at present we sometimes divide big plots into two – but the ideal solution is to make more land available for allotments and I’m sure the review will want to look at that. The difficulty is that we will not have the funding to buy additional land and converting open spaces would be very difficult.”

A report before the council’s environment overview and scrutiny committee suggested there might be scope for new allotments at former college playing fields in North Road and at Upton Farm.

“If we can find somewhere to build some there is a strong political will to do that,” said Cllr Adams.