FORMER Spitalcroft allotment holders in Devizes remained unimpressed with facilities being offered at an alternative site in Windsore Drive, after a state-of-the-art presentation.

The allotment holders were evicted last year from Spitalcroft off London Road, despite a planning inspector's decision that the site could not be developed for housing until alternative allotments, acceptable to the former allotment holders, were provided.

Pippin Homes, which wanted to develop the land owned by the St Mary's Church and Poorlands Charity, had offered the 12-acre site on Windsor Drive.

But planning inspector Robert Maxwell said the alternative site was not of sufficient quality for allotments.

Now Robert Hitchins Ltd, which won a planning inquiry to build 64 homes at the Fruit Farm site by Drews Pond Wood, Devizes, has agreed to pay £1.1 million for Spitalcroft. It employed environmental consultants Fieldfare Associates, of Tiverton, Devon, to prepare a plan to create an acceptable allotment area at Windsor Drive.

At the town hall on Thursday, allotment holders were given a presentation on the scheme by Fieldfare scientist Anna Becvar. They were also able to see soil samples and computer graphics outlining the benefits of the scheme.

The project splits the land into 107 allotments, with car parking, a recycling centre, a timber-built lodge with classroom and meeting room, and an area for disabled people to garden.

The plan includes trees and shrubs acting as a windbreak on the exposed site on the side of a hill, and the removal of topsoil from the Spitalcroft site in an attempt to make the clay soil more friable.

Mayor Ray Parsons said: "The allotment holders are concerned it is an exposed site on the side of a hill. It is not the same size as the inspector recommended."

Derek Sibley, former chairman of the now disbanded allotment holders' association, said: "I was at the exhibition for more than 45 minutes and the only other people there were objecting to the scheme. I have not spoken to anyone that is in favour of it.

"The inspector examined the soil at Windsor Drive and the soil at Spitalcroft and declared they were not comparable. The soil at Windsor Drive is like plasticine while that at Spitalcroft just fell through his hands."

Though Hitchins have offered to move thousands of tons of topsoil, Mr Sibley believes this will not solve the problems.

Tony Larpent and Mark Clayton of Fieldfare Associates agree it would take at least five years before the soil settles down and the trees and shrubs provide enough of a windbreak.

Mr Larpent said: "This is about providing an allotment site for future generations. The land will be ceded to the town council in perpetuity. We don't just want to provide allotments for existing holders but attract new, younger people to cultivate allotments."