ALLOTMENT holders in Christchurch say plans are afoot to form a federation following a number of changes to how they are managed.

At a Christchurch Borough Council meeting held recently proposals for a number of controversial changes were amended following a public consultation with residents and plot holders.

The proposed changes were seen as a good way to tackle the growing waiting lists and demand and included allocating plots to permanent borough residents only, with only one plot per household, charging double for non-residents and increasing prices.

The council also wanted to end multiple plots, an issue which caused major concern among plot-holders.

But after nearly 100 responses from plot holders and associations across Christchurch as well as reaction from national bodies, other local authorities and ward councillors, officers looked again at the plans.

The new strategy has revised price increases, amended plans for multiple plots, which allow plot holders to retain them until the end of 2017, as well as a pledge to allow non-resident holders and holders who move out of the borough to continue their tenancies.

Non-residents will be charged double for their plots from 2014.

Amanda Geaves from Rutland Road said: “After all that not much has changed to be honest. It has cemented the strategy and made it more formal but the decisions mean that in reality it’s much the same as it was.

“All the sites are working together to set-up a federation of allotments which will be much more effective to manage waiting lists.”

And Alan Ruck, from Roeshot Hill, said: “We’re as pleased as we can be.

“I think the plot holders will be most pleased with the fact that they will be able to keep their plots of more than 10 rods until 2017 and there will be a due application process should they want to hold onto them beyond that.

“We as a committee are pleased that the council has listened to arguments about the fact that they can’t keep raising allotment charges out of line with other facilities in the borough."