Sulis Down developer tells residents to rip out their allotment

Residents of a new estate in Bath who’ve turned a small area of scrubland behind their homes into a communal allotment have been told by the developer that they must rip it out.

Elizabeth Heggart on the left with Donna & Paul Anstee

Elizabeth Heggart and her neighbours Paul and Donna Anstee say the narrow strip of land behind their homes at Harrison Down on Vistry’s Sulis Down development was a mess when they moved in about 20 months ago.

They knew it was not their land, but decided to improve the look of it.

Over a year ago they began clearing it – picking out the stones, clearing weeds, levelling the earth and building waste, laying grass and caring for the shrubs and trees that had been planted by the developer but “left to die” like others on the development.

Paul estimates that between them they have spent about £1,500 on the land.

In addition to growing vegetables, there is a rockery, a flower garden and a greenhouse.

They say their efforts have fostered community spirit with crops being shared with other neighbours in their road.

While fencing at the rear of the strip was erected by the developer, the residents have also put up some temporary fencing to stop teenagers on motorbikes who were charging down the strip of land that goes behind other properties at Harrison Down.

The residents’ offer to adopt, rent or buy the small area has been refused, with Vistry maintaining that it is public open space.

The land before it was cultivated

However, the area is only accessible by a private driveway, rather than being open to the public, and there is only a limited view for anyone passing by.

The residents say the informal allotment space is in line with Bath & North East Somerset Council’s policy to increase the provision of local food growing.

Council planners have meanwhile indicated to the residents that they would be in favour of what is known as a non-material amendment (NMA) to change the official use of the land to an informal community allotment.

But even though the residents say that they would reimburse Vistry for any costs involved in doing that, the developer has refused to budge.

Vistry gave the residents a deadline of 28th July to vacate the land but agreed to defer it until 12th September to ensure their planting efforts don’t go to waste, and they can enjoy the produce they have grown. All items apart from wildflowers must be removed by the end of that day.

Public open space at the site is due to be handed over to management company Trustgreen to maintain but it is not as yet known when that will be. It is understood that Trustgreen will not be able to deviate from the approved plans.

Vistry has not responded to the Echo’s request for a comment. The land is not yet managed by Trustgreen, which was not in a position to comment.

Formal allotment space is included at the Sulis Down development but has yet to be created.