Allotment holders in Leamington are awaiting the outcome of a planning inspector's report that could see their plots earmarked for housing.
On any morning Binswood allotments off The Fairway is busy with gardeners weeding, digging and picking the fruit of their labours.
But this oasis of 165 plots, which was created in 1920, has been labelled by developer George Wimpey as a potential site for housing.
The land is in the greenbelt and rented by Leamington Town Council from a private landowner.
Last year when Warwick District Council drew up its local plan to designate land use across the area, George Wimpey requested the allotments be allocated for housing.
Send us your views on this story by clicking hereChairman of the allotment's society Dennis Bradley, and an allotment holder of 14 years, said: "We have 112 members drawn from all sections of society and there are 30 people on the waiting list.
"It gives people exercise, fresh air and food and is a lung for the urban area between Leamington and Kenilworth."
The allotment's longest plot holder is 81-year-old George Crawford. He has held a plot for more than 50 years.
He said: "I used to have pigs up here, but now just chickens and ducks. I come up twice a day and am self-sufficient in vegetables.
"I would be very sorry to see it go. A lot of young people and families have started to come here in the past year and they seem to be making a go of it. Wimpey should find land somewhere else."
Catherine Levack of Warren Close enjoys taking her family to the allotment at the weekend.
She said: "It's a lovely green space and is a very relaxing and friendly environment. I have made a lot of friends up here.
"Our garden is not light enough for growing vegetables. I have planted potatoes, onions and runner beans. The children loved growing pumpkins last year."
A district council planning officer said: "We recently reviewed the local plan. When we do that people can make representations to say what changes they think should be made on that document.
"George Wimpey applied to the district council to say it should be taken out of the greenbelt and redesignated as residential land. The council objected to this and we are awaiting the government planning inspector's report which will confirm the status of this area. We expect to get the result in the next couple of weeks.
"There has not been any planning application submitted for development of this site."
Binswood Allotment Association is one of six in Leamington and it costs about £30 a year to rent a large plot of land.
