Allotment holders in Alderley Edge have vowed to fight plans to turn their plots into a car park.

Parish councillors have formally agreed to take control of the village allotments from Cheshire East.

They intend to turn the Heyes Lane site into a car park when they develop Festival Hall into a medical centre for the doctors from the surgery on George Street.

Alternative sites for the 24 allotment holders include land off Lydiat Lane owned by Alderley Edge School for Girls.

Councillors said they want the move to happen as soon as possible. They need allotment holders’ support as the plots are protected by law.

But allotment holders have objected and this week formed a committee to fight the plans.

John Sanderson, of the committee, said:  “It takes years of hard work to prepare the soil and establish fruit bushes and some fruit trees. There are two dozen allotments holders and it’s understandable the families are attached to their allotments and will resist threats to move elsewhere.”

Councillors have said the development will solve parking problems for the village.

Jamie Smith, an allotment holder for 33 years, said:  “After getting the bypass to direct vehicles away from the village centre should we be encouraging workers to come by car to the village?

“The Festival Hall car park is rarely fully occupied and we question whether the council really thinks they need additional car parking spaces.”

The Express understands there are plans to move Alderley Motor Co to the site too. Councillors at last week’s parish council meeting said their duty is to provide allotments for Alderley Edge residents.

Coun Keegan said:  “We are not thinking about relocating only Alderley Edge residents but if allotment holders from outside the village try to frustrate the move, then we would reconsider our position.

“We need to plan ahead to secure good short stay parking for shoppers. Land is scarce and the village needs to maximise its resources for all taxpayers and businesses.

“We will comply with legislation which allows the relocation of allotment holders to a suitable site within a reasonable distance.

“Moving the allotments could virtually wipe out the long waiting list.  The inconvenience to the allotment holders is unfortunate but the public gain outweighs inconvenience to allotment holders, not all of whom live within the village.”