A CLOSED allotment site will reopen after a council u-turn over plans to sell it for housing.

The Naldertown site has been closed for 10 years as Liberal Democrat controlled Wantage Town Council earmarked it for a multi-million pound housing deal.

But the new Conservative administration, which took control at the May elections, will reopen its 32 empty plots later this year.

Mike Welham, secretary of Wantage Gardeners Association, welcomed the news as he said more and more green space was being taken up by housing.

He said: “I look upon them like libraries. The benefit is so great. It is not just producing food but also social interaction.

“It is a great move for Wantage.”

The site was closed in 2001, though its eight plot holders were allowed to keep using it.

Dennis Farmer, 79, of Hamfield, who has had a plot at Naldertown for more than 30 years, said: “At the moment it looks like a dump out there.”

Tory councillor Fiona Roper said: “We have no intention to build on them. Everybody is concerned about overdevelopment in Wanatge and it is not a site that lends itself to building anyway.

“We are in favour of keeping green spaces wherever we can.”

Lib Dem member Jenny Hannaby said: “It is a windfall site that would bring in millions of pounds to the whole town and not just a few allotment holders who pay £13 a year – it would be a tragedy for the town.”

The cash could have paid for a new youth centre, she said. Sweatbox youth centre at King Alfred’s School has lost Oxfordshire County Council cash but residents are raising funds to keep it open.