IT is a complaint which is often voiced. In the stampede to build new homes across Colchester, developers and landowners put houses on every piece of land on offer.

But infrastructure, like schools, fields, playgrounds and community halls are often overlooked. And allotments can be added to the list.

The efforts of celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver have made the notion of growing your own vegetables more and more popular.

But as Colchester’s waiting list of nearly 500 people are aware, getting your hands on a plot is difficult.

And the only site currently set aside for allotments is at the long-derelict Severalls Hospital, which will not be developed for several years.

Bob Penny, manager for parks and recreation at Colchester Council, admits most land would be suitable for allotments.

“As long as it’s not contaminated land, then we’re open to suggestions and ideas,” he said.

“But it’s fair to say that identifying land for allotment use is difficult.

“Excluding the current economic climate, people look at vacant land as an opportunity for residential homes.

“They don’t want to tie up land for allotments that could alternatively be reaping the owner more reward.

“What we have done recently is to identify a local standard by which we say how much land should be set aside for allotments.”

With no new plots on the horizon, the council is having to make sure the 866 which currently exist are used as best they can. Mr Penny said there was a system in place whereby, if plots do become overgrown or are not maintained, the allotment holder is given notice to quit and asked to vacate the plot.

“We have also limited allotments to one plot per household, because we want everybody to have the chance to have one,” added Mr Penny.

Farmer Ralph Spence, who owns Ivy Farm at East Mersea, offered part of his 50 acres of land for residents of Mersea Island, where no allotments are currently in place.

“I’ve always been a keen vegetable grower,” he said.

“So I offered the site, which was four acres of land and would have provided about 48 allotments. It was agreed between the council and the allotment association, and the only problem was people would have to get into cars to get down there.”

Although planning permission was not required, neighbours voiced concerns to West Mersea Town Council over fears the allotments would invade their privacy, result in noise and restrict their views of the countryside.

Eventually, the idea was dropped and alternative sites are being sought.

“Residents felt that all the worst aspects of allotments that might happen, would happen,” Mr Spence added.

“My aims were to earn a bit of money for the farm and provide a local service, but it has created local animosity.

“As far as I am concerned, it’s all gone dead so I’m out of the equation.”

Colchester councillor Sue Lissimore, who tends her patch on Irvine Road with her husband and three children, grows new potatoes, leaks, beans, strawberries, carrots, salad leaves, parsnips and more.

“I’ve had my patch for four years,” she said. “I’ve been, in all that time, totally self-sufficient.

“It also saves an enormous amount of money.”