A resident and allotment holder complained that the introduction of tougher rules governing structures on parish council allotment plots were unfair.

Gary France said he believed more consultation should have been carried out before the new tenancy agreement was brought in.

He said the allotment site had improved substantially under the old agreement, and restrictions on using polytunnels would discriminate against new tenants.

Council chairman councillor Neal Cameron and Coun Hopkinson explained the rules restricting what tenants could place on their plots were designed to suit smaller plots, which were being created to deal with the chronically long waiting list for the allotments.

Councillor Pauline Bedford argued that polytunnels were ugly and dirty, and that rubbish accumulated around them.

Mr France said: “Allotments are meant to be about diversity and growing food, it’s not a country park.”

Coun Cameron said the disagreement could not be resolved during the council meeting and recommended the issue be dealt with at a special meeting for allotment holders and people whose homes overlook the site.

l Coun Bedford said she had viewed a plot of land near the Hebden Bridge Road cemetery, which might potentially be used as a site for new council allotments in future.

She said: “The field is 2.3 acres, possibly enough for 18 large plots.

“There’s only a slight slope – it must be the flattest land in Oxenhope. There’s also a good water source.”

She said disadvantages included the distance from the centre of the village, and the windy, exposed location.