The council says it has no other option but to sell

Redbridge Council last night approved proposals to sell four sites within its borough which it hopes will raise about �25m for capital projects.

It promised new plots to owners who say they are not happy with the offer and who insist their plots are "thriving".

The plans need final approval from the Secretary of State for the Environment.

The council said many plots were unused and they were left with no other option but to raise the much-needed funds.

'Turfed off'

Ronnie Barden, from Redbridge Council, said: "We have nowhere else to go.

"Government has put us in a straight jacket and I think the intention is to get us to sell the allotments because they know that's the only thing we can do."

The four allotment sites are New North Road, Vicarage Lane South, Fullwell Avenue and Goodmayes Lane.

In all, nearly 500 individual plots will be affected by the decision but the council insisted many could be saved through relocation to alternative sites within the borough.

But Oscar Marvel, 72, who grows potatoes on his plot, said: "How would you feel if you were turfed off a part of your life? Because I'm a retired man and this is my pleasure."

Another gardener, Sue Cunningham, said: "I was on a waiting list to get this plot and now we hear that they are trying to sell it and this site is really so good."

If the council's plans get government approval, the allotments could be sold in two years.