Government is to drop its bid to turn arable land at Frog Lane into a revamped Transport Control Department (TCD), Minister Ewart Brown said last night.

Both Dr. Brown and TCD director Kevin Monkman were tight-lipped about the reasons.

Dr. Brown told The Royal Gazette: “There is no plan to go ahead with it at this point.”

However, farmers are to go ahead with their promise to plough up the five-acre site which has sat idle and overgrown for years.

Spokesman Tom Wadson said: “We are not trying to be smart asses but it's due, it's time.

“We are going to mow and plough it up and get it ready for planting.”

He said several farmers were interested in the land but the point was that Works and Engineering, which is the landlord, should not be allowed to let it sit idle.

Mr. Wadson said: “We are going to push to have it back in production. It looks like hell down there.”

One idea is to grow produce for charity, said Mr. Wadson. He applauded Government for having a change of heart and said forward planning was needed for agriculture.

“They knew it wasn't right and they saw it.”

Around 12 tractors are due to hit the deserted overgrown scrub opposite the National Stadium tomorrow morning.

Opposition Environment spokesman Cole Simons said Government needed to preserve arable land.

“What type of commitment does the Government have into preserving arable land?

“They did a study which said they need to set up a definite plan to take us forward for the next four to five years.

“They have no real plan which is why we have these knee-jerk reactions.”

Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield could not be reached for comment.

Dr. Brown said architects would now work out how to get the revamped TCD into its current site in North Street.

Mr. Monkman said Government wanted to go from one to four lanes of testing and increase office space.

He said it was impossible to add a single staff member to the current roster of 35 because there was nowhere to put them.

Plans had already been drawn up and he hoped work could begin in March if approved by the Development Applications Board.

Extra space is needed for emissions testing planned to be introduced next year.