A SITE potentially earmarked for relocated allotments in Christchurch has been crossed off the agenda.

Just weeks after Christchurch council confirmed it was seeking to buy land in Winkton, they have revealed the plot was bought by someone else.

The council made an offer to buy land at Harpway Lane, confirming relocated allotments from the Roeshot Hill site, was one option being considered for the land

The move caused consternation among residents and allotment holders, who branded the potential relocation of the allotments "unsuitable."

The relocation of the allotments is due to the council's local plan designating the current allotment plots for housing.

Around 950 houses are earmarked for Roeshot Hill.

The council was unable to say whether a new site was in the pipeline.

Dave Barnes, strategic director at Christchurch council, said: “The council regularly examines the availability of land which could be used for a range of uses, including public open space, amenity benefits or further allotment provision but there are no specific sites under consideration at the moment.

“The situation with the Roeshot Hill allotments as set out in the Local Plan is that this land is designated for housing development but this will not take place until an alternative statutory allotment site has been secured; at the present time the council is unable to give a definitive answer as to when this might be.”

The relocation was discussed at the Roeshot Hill summer show.

A spokesperson for the allotment association said: "The recent suggestion of a site in Winkton has met with opposition from both the association and Winkton residents.

"The association is also concerned that the only other option currently on offer is both outside the borough in Hampshire."