Allotment Holders Voice Discontent Over Sheffield Site Closure

Tenants at a Sheffield allotment, informed of their requirement to vacate the premises, reported feeling “treated like dirt” after the site’s abrupt closure. On 1 October, occupants of the privately-owned Infield Lane site in Darnall discovered it barricaded and padlocked without prior notification. Although a notice affixed to the gate indicated a two-week period to vacate, plot holders assert they were prevented from entering and denied vehicle access. The BBC’s attempts to contact the site’s owners for comment were unsuccessful. Correspondence reviewed by the BBC, dispatched on behalf of the landowners and organizations including South Yorkshire Police, the RSPCA, and the Animal and Plant Health Agency, indicated that a meeting in January addressed “numerous” problems at the location. The letter detailed various concerns, such as animal welfare issues, unauthorized waste burning, arson, uncooperative plot holders, unlawful animal slaughter, and the illicit breeding of dogs, including prohibited breeds. Consequently, the letter stated, the allotments would be shut down, the site secured, and animals relocated. A number of the more than 200 plot holders, including individuals involved with the Community Allotment project, stated they were not informed of the impending closure until October. Sarah Emberson, a co-manager of the project that assists individuals with mental health conditions, disabilities, and dementia, characterized the loss of these facilities as “devastating”. Ms. Emberson noted that the timeline for individuals to collect their possessions remained uncertain, but a letter dated 17 October warned that unauthorized entry to the site would lead to prosecution. She informed BBC Look North, “They [the owners] have talked about arranging one day for us to get on and get all our stuff off but with no vehicle access.” She added, “So that would involve dismantling everything in a day and carrying it all the way back down that track to a vehicle.” She concluded, “It’s just not feasible.” Ms. Emberson reported that they were informed any extra day of access would incur a charge exceeding £3,000. Paul Campbell, a user of the site for 41 years, described it as his “escape” during almost two decades of full-time care for his mother. He mentioned his initial intention to transfer his plot to an autism support group this year, which he is now unable to do. He commented, “It’s ridiculous really, it’s a major facility in Darnall.” He further stated, “We had no warning at all, they treat us like dirt. They have for the 10 years they’ve been here.” Sheffield City Council confirmed that since the site’s closure earlier this month, it has collaborated with the police and the RSPCA to relocate livestock and other animals from the premises. The local authority added that it had provided support to allotment holders where suitable and would persist in offering guidance as required.