The future of Combe Down allotments remains uncertain after the landowner gave advance warning of his intention to end a lease of the land occupied by B&NES Council.
A detailed letter has been sent out to some residents and allotment holders, setting out the complex legal situation and the progress that the council has made to date.
The local authority has attempted to engage with the landowner, and has made a commitment to remain on the site so that the long history of food growing and allotments afforded to the community of Combe Down can continue.
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.
Councillor Tim Ball, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “This is a complex legal situation which we are doing our very best to resolve because our goal has always been for allotments to remain on this site, we know how important they are to many people.
“While we do not have a final outcome at this stage, we are contacting everyone involved, to keep them updated of the current situation following legal advice we have received.
“In addition the council has looked into what available avenues, under the statutory provisions, it has to retain the land for allotments. This included exploring any acquisition powers for the site.
“At the same time, we have requested meetings with the landowner to understand why he intends to serve Notice. Unfortunately, all requests to meet have, to date, been declined through his solicitor, alongside a repeat of his intention to serve Notice on the council in 2025.”
Councillor Ball added: “The council is exploring alternative options but there is no timeframe over which the obligation for an allotment site must be satisfied.
“However, we really want to work with the allotment holders and the community of Combe Down to assist us in locating an alternative, suitable and affordable site if the landowner serves notice.”
Bath & North East Somerset Council has written to the landowner stating that in the council’s opinion, he is required under statutory allotment law to serve 12 months’ formal notice of his intention to terminate the lease, not the three months’ notice that is stated within the terms of the current lease for the land.
The landowner has not yet responded to this position.
Councillor Ball said: “We have sent a further letter, in a final attempt to engage, setting out that the council still wishes to enter constructive and co-operative negotiations to enter into a new lease for the current allotments.
“However, this would exclude the land known as The Paddock as it is not currently being used as an allotment site. This is the area of land off St Winifred Drive. We are waiting to hear back from his solicitors.”
