FRUSTRATED allotment holders have challenged Christchurch council over proposals to change the way the plots are managed.

The council is currently consulting with the residents in the borough about the way allotment provision is organised.

Changes could include allocating plots to permanent borough residents only, with one plot per household, charging double for non-residents, ending multiple plots and increasing prices.

The move has come about as the council tries to address an apparent shortfall in plots across the borough, with around 190 people believed to be on the waiting lists.

But at a meeting of allotments holders and association chiefs along with countryside officers Alan Ottaway and Barry Webber on Monday night feelings were running high.

The packed out room heard concerns from multiple plot holders who had worked years to transform rundown pieces of land as well as people who live across the borough’s border and residents worried about how the policies would be implemented.

There were also questions about how many people actually wanted allotments with associations urged to contact people on the waiting lists to see if they still required one.

Amanda Geaves, secretary of Rutland Road allotments said: “Eight people will lose half their plots at Rutland under these proposals.”

Peter Clements, from Iford, who has an allotment at Rutland Road said: “I have had a plot for 29 years and am one of a few people who live outside of Christchurch.

“After all the hard work I have done over the years – I can’t believe this.”

Chairman of Roeshot Hill Allotments Association, John Campbell, said members would be holding an extraordinary meeting to discuss their collective response.

Alan Ottaway, principal officer for open spaces and countryside at Christchurch council, reassured residents that their views would be taken into account. The consultation ends on February 12 and will go before the community services committee on February 29.