HUNDREDS of Redbridge gardeners stand to lose their plots now Redbridge Council have decided to sell four allotment sites across the borough.

The cabinet let down over a hundred allotment holders who filled the council chamber on Tuesday to protest against the land sale which aims to raise £25m.

The Chigwell Road site in Woodford Green has so far been spared from sale as its location on the River Roding flood plain has probed further assesment and consultation.

No fewer than ten allotment holders argued the value of these green spaces.

Clive Durdle, chairman of the Redbridge Environment Partnership, said: "Allotment holders are Turkish, Chinese, West Indian, Irish, English, Egyptian... and we exchange ideas - using jargon we are social capital. Allotments are an incredibly valuable resource that are not recognised as such."

"What would you consider the ideal leisure facility?," asked 21-year-old plot holder Carole, "Somewhere that supports you physical health, your mental health, and builds a sense of community? A facility where people of all backgrounds, ages and races can get together and work together?

"That facility exists with the allotments. For Redbridge to destroy that sense of mental, physical and community health is quite ridiculous."

The destruction of wildlife habitats and lack of proper public consultation was also raised.

Cllr Barden, cabinet member for leisure, culture and the olympics, in charge of allotments, said he has been forced into the decision as a way to raise £150m for schools and leisure facilities in Redbridge.

He said: "The government has put us in a straight jacket. The only way to do it is through land sales and all three parties agreed to this. It is difficult. Nobody wants to sell land; why would we want to?

"But what we have come out with is a possible sale of four allotment sites."

More than half of the Chigwell Road site sits on the flood plain, and Cllr Barden said it needs thorough investigation and will probably not be sold. The site has more plotholders than any other site and an occupancy rate of 96 per cent.

If the council's plans get government approval the allotments at New North Road, Vicarage Lane South, Fulwell Avenue and Goodmayes Lane, could be sold in two years.

Richard Cooper presented an alternative development plan for Redbridge, urging the council to build on its strengths, rather than taking away valuable resources.

He said: "I was disappointed that the allotment sales seemed to have been argued within the council long before the meeting was held.

"It appeared the councillors did not take note of what the people said.

"The allotment movement is a past-time enjoyed by the whole spectrum of people, from the kids right up to the grandads, and it was rather disappointing that Cllr Barden let the people leave the meeting because he was too political, rather than listening to their deep concerns."