ALLOTMENT holders who have raised produce on their plots in Calne for decades are protesting proposed new sites have poor soil and could even be dangerous.

The Calne Allotment Society, representing members who garden at the four- acre Newcroft site, claim the interests of its mainly older members have been sacrificed for the younger generation.

The Newcroft site, owned by Calne Town Council, could be sold off for development as part of a wider plan to provide 30 acres of playing fields.

In March, allotment holders were given 12 months notice to quit land which some have been working for 40 years.

Last night North Wiltshire District Council's area development committee was due to consider another four applications for sites but allotment holders say the proposed substitutes are not good enough.

Five new sites could provide a total of 17 and a half acres of allotment space. But society secretary Sue Taylor, speaking for members, said the new sites would be no good for growing food because they all had poor soil.

"Our main concern as an allotment society is the quality of land being offered to us," she said. "Each survey carried out by Mayer for the council highlighted major concerns and difficulties with the soil on each site earmarked for new allotments."

She said top soil drainage and quality, and structural damage caused by heavy machinery were reported. Improvements could be made but would take a number of years to be effective.

One plot lies to the north of the Northern Distributor Road, needing a new junction on the roundabout.

The society has objected because of the noisy, smelly environment, a dangerous pedestrian access, and possible problems from a major oil pipeline which crosses the site.

Members are also worried a pond on the site will receive polluted water from nearby housing and the road.

A site west of an oil depot off Wenhill Lane has also been criticised because of poor soil and the narrow access road. And local residents have complained about possible pollution from pesticides and chemicals, and nuisance from traffic.

District council officers have recommended the application be refused.

The third site lies in an isolated spot off Abberd Lane, which allotment holders complain can only be reached by car and they are worried about personal safety because the site is so remote.

Another site lies in two parcels on the west of Lickhill Road but the soil has high levels of arsenic and officers have recommended refusing the application because of the consequent loss of public open space. The final site at Fisher Brook Lane was given the go-ahead last month.

"We want the consideration being given to the older generation to be equal to that given to the younger one," said Mrs Taylor. "Our members can't go out and enjoy football pitches. We are desperately worried about the condition of soil on the five sites."

Calne has an estimated 30 acres shortfall of playing pitches, based on the current population level of 12,000, which is set to double over the next five to ten years. As a result many of the town's 14 youth football teams have to practise out of town.