The Combe Down allotments site, which has an uncertain future, has been partially protected thanks to a nomination by residents to make it an Asset of Community Value.
Bath & North East Somerset Council has now added the site in Bath to its list of Assets of Community Value thanks to an application by the Unincorporated Friends of Combe Down Allotments group.
The nomination for the status was assessed by the local authority and found to meet or exceed all criteria needed to be added to the list.
Although the owner of an Asset of Community Value (ACV) is free to sell to any buyer of their choice, they cannot dispose of it without:
- waiting until the end of a six-week ‘interim moratorium’ period in which community interest groups or any other buyers can request that the council treats them as a potential bidder;
- waiting until the end of a six-month ‘full moratorium’ period if the council does receive such a request.
Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “This land has been used for allotments since 1894 and continues to be of significant social value for the community today.
“We know that the current occupiers of the plots live in the local area and there are several schools and community organisations which use the allotment space for fantastic social projects and learning experiences.
“The successful nomination to list the site as an Asset of Community Value will give community interest groups the chance to make a bid should the site become available to buy.”
Currently, there are 64 allotments on the land off of St Winifred’s Drive which the council leases, however the landowner has given advance warning of his intention to end the lease in 2025.
A campaign was launched in January as part of efforts to save the site.
