CALNE'S allotment holders, who were devastated when they were moved from their plots at Newcroft, have welcomed plans to develop the land which include space for 26 allotments.

Many elderly allotment holders living in the centre of Calne gave up their plots when the allotments at Newcroft Road were moved to a site at Beversbrook in October 2001.

However, the proposals for the new development could mean gardeners who are too frail or lack the transport to travel to Beversbrook could return to the old site.

The list of 95 people waiting for an allotment in Calne would also be reduced if North Wiltshire District Council approves the plans.

Mayor Elizabeth Hitchens, said: "The town council is very concerned people in Calne should have what they want. There are lots of people who want allotments and we are trying very hard to provide them.

Calne Allotment Association chairman Peter Highton, said: "I'm really excited. We had a meeting of the Allotment Society on September 12 and everyone was delighted there will be 26 allotments in at Newcroft. As long as the new plots are the same size as the largest ones at Beversbrook, give or take a few yards, we'll be very happy."

The town's allotment holders were initially cynical about the move to Beversbrook two-and-a-half miles from Newcroft.

They were unhappy with the distance to the new site and the smaller size of the new plots and complained the land was exposed to the elements.

Newcroft's six acres had 100 275sq yard plots of land, while the Beversbrook site is two acres and has 64 allotments of various sizes, with the largest 150sq yards.

But Mr Highton said the soil was of good quality and the council had built a windbreak to protect the land.

Some allotment holders have said the new site is better than expected.

Mr Highton, 76, of Abberd Way, said: "A lot of the older boys didn't want a plot at Beversbrook so they lost their allotments. They felt they wouldn't be able to get there regularly and were concerned that the site was a bit isolated."

Town councillor and member of the Calne Allotment Association Joanna Heselwood, said: "It's great that the allotment holders who fought so hard to keep some allotments at Newcroft have got some reward.

"We would like those allotments put in sooner rather than later because when you are 85 a growing season is an awfully long time.

"If the council could ensure they are put in before work starts on the rest of the development, once planning permission is approved, that would be great."

The proposals submitted by Hills to the town council include plans to build 101 houses, 17 flats and housing for Westlea and Cheltenham and District housing associations, in Newcroft.

The allotments will be situated in the western corner of the development, near Lickhill Road.

Town council's planning committee chairman Coun Roy Golding, said: "I think the mix of social housing, single parent facilities and allotments combine to make an ideal environment for the residents."

The property director of Hills Group, Lance Parry, said: "Some people couldn't drive to the new allotment site and the planning department at North Wiltshire District Council wanted us to take this on board.