ALLOTMENT holders have won the latest round in their bid to stop houses being built on their former plots at Spitalcroft in Devizes.

A Government planning inspector ruled this week that the site cannot be developed until allotment land of comparable quality can be provided.

His decision, which follows a local inquiry last year into objections against the replacement Kennet Local Plan, upholds Kennet District Council's policy.

Derek Sibley, chairman of Spitalcroft Allotment Association, which has been fighting plans to build houses at the site since 1995, said he was delighted at the ruling.

He said: "The inspector's decision is good news as he says replacement allotment land has to be comparable or superior to Spitalcroft."

In previous years, an alternative site off Windsor Drive, promoted by Robert Hitchins Ltd, the owners of the Spitalcroft site, was turned down by Kennet's regulatory committee because it felt the site was unsuitable.

Devizes Town Council, which is responsible for providing allotments, is considering its next move following the publication of the inspector's report. It is understood that the compulsory purchase of the land at Spitalcroft is still under consideration.

Meanwhile town councillor Ray Parsons is working on an idea for a two and a half acre site at Spitalcroft, not part of the former allotments, to be turned into community use.

Mr Parsons said his project was non-party political.

He said he was in discussion with various groups in the town over the possibility of using part of the land for a 40-seater classroom for school children to study nature, a centre for youth groups at evenings and weekends, a walking track and raised allotments for disabled people.

He hopes the community will back the idea and form a trust that could then apply for grants to fund the project.

Mr Parsons said: "This would be a great community package. There's a lot for everybody."

Mr Parsons is arranging a public meeting later this month for interested people and groups to talk about the idea.