Eastleigh Council is to take control of all its allotment sites in Bishopstoke, Chandler's Ford and Eastleigh from January.

Eastleigh and Bishopstoke Allotments Co-operative Association currently does the day-to-day administration of the ten existing sites.

It manages the waiting list, collection of rent and allocation of plots.

But the Daily Echo understands that the allotments association does not want to take on five new allotment sites currently being developed.

The new sites will provide more than 300 new plots in Eastleigh and Chandler's Ford replacing land at South Street and Monks Way, which the council is seeking to build houses on.

The proposed housing development has sparked a huge row with allotmenteers battling to preserve their current sites - but it is thought that the council's decision to manage all its sites is not part of the ongoing war of words.

Allotment association treasurer Ted Ingram said: "We have a committee meeting on Tuesday evening to discuss the situation and will be issuing a statement on Wednesday. I cannot comment until then."

Council leader Keith House believes the new management arrangements will only be a temporary measure but one that will help both the council and the allotments association.

He said: "The allotments association is unhappy about dealing with the relocation of plot holders from the existing allotment sites which it believes should be retained. It has already indicated that it would not wish to manage the new sites while the relocation process is underway. Clearly it will not be sensible to have split responsibility for our allotments."

But he said he hoped that direct control by the borough would only be a temporary measure while relocation took place.

He added: "Once the new sites have settled down over the next year or two we will be consulting plot holders about their wishes for the future management of the sites.

"We hope the allotments association will continue to play a part for its members and continue running the shops on the existing sites."