But six months ago, Leamington's allotments seemed to be under threat after Warwick District Council earmarked 155 allotment plots in Binswood for new housing.

Now Leamington town council hopes to put pressure on planners to create allotments for new homes - which could lead to 2,000 being created around Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth.

The council voted unanimously last week to ask for plots whenever more than 19 new houses or flats were built.

Coun Eithne Goode (Lib Dem, Leamington Manor) proposed the idea. She said: "We are going to be expected to provide so many more homes over the next 20 years, but we are not actually going to be producing allotments unless this council tries to do something about it."

Leamington's allotment societies together have waiting lists of almost 180, and Coun Goode reminded members of the benefits of gardening. She said: "An allotment could provide fresh fruit and vegetables all year round for a family of four.

"Apart from the sheer benefit of the fresh air and wellbeing, there is the comradeship that takes place on the allotments. It cuts across age, class, gender and race."

The town council has asked for one allotment plot for every ten houses in any development larger than 19 homes, with on-site allotments for any estate of more than 100 homes.

This could mean up to 2,000 new plots.

The district council's original estimates were part of a West Midlands Regional Assembly request for 10,800 more homes over the next 18 years, but this number may rise further after government consultants suggested three options ranging from 15,000 to 20,000 new homes.

Coun Goode's motion had unanimous support.

Coun Bill Gifford said: "This is an opportunity to make sure the homes that are built are decent homes with the necessary space for growing food."

Coun Balvinder Gill (Lab, Brunswick) warned the council should "resist any allotment being lost". He added: "People are overweight, people are not active. Even when there are cheap vegetables in the shops we should encourage people to use allotments because it is good for their health."