A Winchester pensioner's campaign to keep the allotment he has tended for 60 years has suffered a heavy blow.

Arthur Sykes' plot in Stanmore has been targeted by consultants as a potential site for new housing.

A long-awaited report by J Thompson and Partners for Winchester City Council says most of the Princes Place allotment is "essentially derelict.''

Two other allotments on the estate, the untended Cromwell Road east and Vicarage Gardens are also earmarked for housing.

Mr Sykes, 89, of Kings Avenue, was last night unavailable for comment.

But one of his supporters, Hilary Bradshaw, secretary of the Winchester New Allotment Holders Society, said: "It's very disappointing. But we are not giving up.''

Ms Bradshaw said a clear-up had been organised at Princes Place and a publicity drive would be launched this autumn to encourage new interest.

The consultants' report on housing sites in Stanmore and Highcliffe is due to be considered by the city council cabinet next Wednesday. (OCT 1) Potentially some 100-200 homes could be built on those sites highlighted on both estates.

City councillor Dominic Hiscock stressed that no decisions had been taken. He said: "All the proposals will be discussed with local people, local members and amenity groups. These are all suggestions for things in the future and not necessarily straight away.

He said: "We have to balance the wider interests of the community ( and its need for housing) I wouldn't want to move a man who has looked after an allotment for 60 years."

The report also suggests several garage compounds on Stanmore could be developed: between Minden Way and Chatham Road, and between Fox Lane and Stanmore Lane; Drayton Street north and Drayton Street south; Woolford Close and Thurmond Crescent east.

That could prove controversial as local people say it will worsen parking congestion.

In Highcliffe, four sites have been suggested: the large Serco compound on Bar End Road; garages sites in Gordon Avenue and Fivefields Road; and the corner of Milland Road and Vale Road.

The report recommends consultation over the long-term future of the sheltered housing in Milland Road.

It touches on the 'supported housing' fiasco where the city council secretly planned hostels for vulnerable people for several of these sites.

The report said: "Although the principle of development on those sites had been agreed there had been no explicit discussion of their use for supported housing and when the news became public there was a great deal of concern expressed by local residents... there was still an all-pervading lack of trust within the local community."

The J Thompson and Partners 'community planning' exercise has cost the council £180,000. The sum will be recouped should sites be developed.