Combe Down allotment holders being offered support to move

Allotment holders at a site in Combe Down that is set to close later this year after the owner decided to end the lease of the land to the council are being offered support.

The allotments in Combe Down, which the council leases

Combe Down Allotment users are being asked to contact the local authority to explore options for plots on other sites, ahead of the planned closure.

A letter has been sent to allotment holders making the offer and reminding them they will need to remove all their belongings by the end of 31st October.

It follows the landowner’s decision to end the lease, despite repeated requests by Bath & North East Somerset Council to secure the site so that the long history of food growing and allotments at Combe Down could continue.

The landowner has consistently refused to meet and find a mutually beneficial solution, including the council’s offer to purchase the land, at a price deemed reasonable by an independent valuation. That offer was not accepted.

The landowner is said to be seeking £1.4 million for the site.

Councillor Sarah Warren, deputy council Leader and cabinet member for sustainable Bath & North East Somerset, said: “We fully recognise how valued these allotments are – both personally and within the wider community – and we are equally as disappointed as the allotment holders that this situation has arisen.

“The council made every effort to negotiate with the landowner to retain the site, including offering to purchase the land, at a price deemed reasonable by an independent valuation. Unfortunately, this offer was not accepted.

“Despite this, we remain committed to supporting allotment gardening in the area and are actively exploring opportunities to replace – and where possible, expand – provision elsewhere in the city.

“While we are not yet in a position to confirm details, we are keeping allotment holders informed as this work progresses.”

To help ease the transition, the council is arranging for skips to be made available on-site during October to assist with the removal of personal belongings, chattels, and materials.

Currently, there are 64 allotments on the land off St Winifred’s Drive, which the council leases. There is no timeframe over which the obligation for an allotment site must be satisfied.