Angry allotment holders have banded together to fight plans to sell their beloved plots to developers.

Green Hearts campaign group opposes the plans that could result in the Barnett Wood Lane allotments site next to the Leatherhead Bypass being turned into a retail park, hotel or new homes.

Mole Valley Council is marketing the 10-acre allotment site in partnership with Merton College, Oxford which owns adjacent greenbelt land.

A Green Hearts spokeswoman said: "Outrage is growing from a sense of shock and sadness in the hearts of allotment holders at Barnett Wood Lane Allotments."

The group says the hundred plots are the last remaining part of Poor’s Allotments, which has been cultivated since the 1860s.

She said: "Our district council plan to destroy all we and our forebears have created."

If the development goes ahead then the allotments will be relocated to a 14-acre site on the other side of the M25.

The campaigners criticise the proposed site as downwind of the motorway, waterlogged, full of clay soil and noisy.

She said: "This unsuitable land is 15 minutes further to walk."

But Council leader Councillor Chris Townsend said the relocation would actually be an improvement because the site would be bigger and have better facilities.

Coun Townsend said: "It’s not that far from where they are. But someone with an allotment will be concerned and understandably so."

He said the new site was good arable land and allotment holders could request sheds and other facilities such as water and washing areas.

He said: "It’s down to them. Whatever they ask for they should be able to get."

Of the proposed development, he said: "I’m open minded. Let’s see what interest there is."

Andy Smith, director of the Campaign to Protect Rural England's Surrey branch, spoke out against selling greenbelt land owned by Merton College for potential development.

Mr Smith said: "This marketing of the site while at present not being able to develop there is really putting the cart before the horse.

"These fields are just as important as the areas of outstanding natural beauty in the Surrey Hills because they are positioned to stop two towns merging."

But Councillor Townsend said: "You certainly won't be building on these field in the way they are describing.

"The gap between Ashtead and Leatherhead will remain and won’t disappear. There will be motorway between for a start."