Lease Termination Issued for City’s Oldest Allotment Site

Gardeners at a city’s oldest allotment site have been unsuccessful in their campaign to preserve their plots and are mandated to vacate the land by October of the following year. The Combe Down Allotment, which commenced operations in 1894, has received notice from the landowner indicating that its long-term lease will conclude in 2025. Bath and North East Somerset Council made an attempt to acquire the land with the aim of safeguarding the site. The council reported that all requests for meetings with the landowner were declined through a solicitor, and plot holders were issued notices to vacate last week. Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, stated: “We are extremely disappointed to have to send a notice to quit to our allotment holders.“This is not the outcome the council desires. Our preferred option is the purchase of the site, which we will continue to work towards in our negotiations with the landowner.” According to the Bath Allotments Association, the 64-plot site was originally established for the city’s miners, to assist them in feeding their families. The council clarified that providing plot holders with 12 months’ notice to terminate an allotment tenancy is a statutory requirement, which explains why they have an additional year on their plots. The advocacy group Save Coombe Down Allotments posted on Facebook: “We will not give up hope that something can be done to save this historic allotment site.“We have no idea what the landowner is planning to do with the site if nothing can be done to prevent the eviction happening.” Mr Ball further commented: “We have requested meetings with the landowner to understand why he wants the council to vacate the land.“Unfortunately, all requests to meet have, to date, been declined through his solicitor.” However, he added that the site had been successfully nominated for inclusion on the council’s list of Assets of Community Value (ACV). The owner retains the right to sell the plot to any buyer of their choosing, but now that it is designated an ACV, they cannot proceed with a sale without informing the council. This measure can introduce a delay in the sale process and offer community groups and other potential buyers an opportunity to submit a counter offer. The landowner has not responded to prior requests for comment.