By Harry Mottram: In what has become a story of our times in which a green space is under threat from developers in Bath. And in this case the green space in Combe Down has been allotments since 1894 which makes the fight to save the vegetable, flower and fruit beds even more concerted. The good news is that on Wednesday 14th August 2024 the Council declared the allotments to be an Asset of Community Value (ACV) meaning there is limited protection although the private landlord who owns the plot could still sell although 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
This doesn’t protect the allotment holders from the landlord serving notice to quit, but they will be informed if the land is listed for sale within the five year listing period.
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.”
The leader of the Council Kevin Guy, Cabinet Member for PIanning and Licensing Tim Ball, Cllr Onkar Saini and Cllr Dr. Bharat Pankhania, have all expressed their commitment to securing the future of Combe Down allotments at a meeting in July.
A petition to save the allotments has reached more than 5,000 signatures. To sign visit https://www.change.org/p/save-combe-down-allotments?source_location=search
The main image is: Plot holder Natalie photographed on her plot at Combe Down allotments
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