Thetford councillors have voiced their concern over plans to sell off a valuable patch of development land which they had hoped to transform into an allotment.

The derelict site on Ramsey Close is owned by Breckland Council and is one of nine surplus plots whose disposal was decided by the authority's ruling cabinet under its active land management project.

Thetford Town Council had asked for it to be handed over for its amenity value, but the request was rejected.

District and town councillor Terry Lamb said: 'We've been anxious to extend the number of allotments in Thetford and we were led to believe this land could be made available to us. Now we hear Breckland intends to sell it for housing. I think that is deplorable.'

While Breckland rejected the option to hand the land to Thetford it has acknowledged it has a duty to make alternative space available.

But at a town council meeting this week, concerns were raised about whether this was binding and, if so, where the land would come from. The land at Ramsey Close has been valued at �240,000 and questions were also asked about whether any of the sale money would be handed over.

Breckland cabinet members decided on November 30 that the plot should be sold on the open market to maximise its commercial value.

The town council will send Breckland a letter outlining its concerns.