A CABBAGE patch-style revolt over selling off Eastleigh's allotments moved into the public inquiry arena at Eastleigh today.

The town's banner-waving allotment gardeners made their point loud and clear as government appointed planning inspector Susan Holland arrived at the civic offices to open the public inquiry, which is expected to last four days.

Allotment holders have battled for more than two years to save the leisure gardening plots they have cultivated for decades from being covered by new homes.

Allotments Association treasurer Ted Ingram today said: "We have been waiting for this for two years and this opportunity to prove the council wrong and that is what we are going to do.

"We are optimistic about the outcome. The alternative sites will never be any good and that is what we will be proving during this four day inquiry."

Council chiefs have argued that moving plot holders to alternative land would help meet a desperate need for affordable homes as well as protect countryside areas from development.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, who ordered the inquiry, intervened after Eastleigh unveiled plans for 435 homes on a site south of Monks Way and South Street in Eastleigh.

Following a complex planning agreement, planning permission has been given for the major housing development.

Today Eastleigh Council chief executive Chris Tapp said: "Implementation of the scheme is subject to the council clearing a final hurdle, getting consent to sell a part of the site currently designated but under-used as allotments."

The public inquiry will fully examine the council's application for that planning consent.

The inquiry inspector will hear from both sides on what has become one of the town's most hotly disputed issues.

She will listen to evidence by expert witnesses from Eastleigh Council and the Eastleigh and Bishopstoke Allotments Association.

The inquiry inspector will eventually make a clear ruling on whether civic bosses are within their rights to dispose of the two allotment sites.

The inquiry inspector was greeted with a huge banner, which read "allotments are not for building on".

The Allotments Association will be calling on expert witnesses and affected plot holders.