Eastleigh'S housing crisis came under the spotlight in the first day of an inquiry which will decide if homes can be built on the town's allotments.

The inquiry by a government-appointed planning inspector is the culmination of a two-year battle by the town's gardeners to stop the council building hundreds of homes on allotments in Monks Way and South Street.

Now the battleground has switched to the civic offices, where the Eastleigh and Bishopstoke Allotments Co-operative Association is slugging it out with the borough council in a four-day inquiry.

Both sides have lined up expert witnesses and the inquiry inspector, Susan Holland, is expected to visit the sites on Friday before reporting back to Deputy Prime Minster John Prescott, who ordered the inquiry.

It was housing that figured high on the opening day of the inquiry, as the council's first witness, principal valuer Kevin Warren, gave his evidence.

He said: "There is a desperate shortage of housing in the borough, with more than 4,000 households on the housing register seeking accommodation.

"When affordable homes become available, typically a two-bedroom house will attract inquires from between 60 and 115 families."

John Hobson QC, representing Eastleigh Council, told the inquiry that planning permission to develop the allotments had been given.

He explained how the development package would include homes for about 1,000 people, an extension of Lakeside Park, and 18 new sports pitches with a pavilion and changing facilities on the Southampton University playing fields.

There would also be a new safe cycle and pedestrian route connecting south Eastleigh with Southampton Parkway Station.

He added that the Monks Way and South Street sites had been significantly underused for a considerable time.

"The disposal of the sites at Monks Way and South Street will bring forward much-needed housing accommodation and a range of substantial benefits to the great advantage of the community as a whole," he said.

His submission that the council would be providing replacement allotments of an excellent standard was met with a cry of "rubbish" from the packed public gallery.

Charlie Hopkins, representing the allotments' association, said: "Opposition to this application has united the people of Eastleigh like never before. Allotments are an integral, essential and vital component of both urban and rural communities, probably more so now than at any time previously."

The inquiry continues.