Century old Bath allotments could disappear
The landowner of Combe Down Allotments has served an eviction notice on the council
An allotment site in Bath is set to close down after 130 years, after the landowner served an eviction notice on the council.
Bath and North East Somerset Council was warned earlier this year that the owner of the land used for Combe Down Allotments planned to terminate their lease. Greatest Hits Radio understands the council has been trying to negotiate with the landowner, who has refused to meet them.
Now the landowner’s solicitor has handed the council a notice to vacate the land by November 30, 2025.
The council’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods Tim Ball said: “This land has been used for allotments since 1894 and continues to be of significant social value for the community so this is a hugely disappointing decision.”
Allotment owners have been informed of the decision. A petition to save the allotments started in December 2023 had gathered over 5,000 signatures.
Mr Ball added: “We have explored all options to save Combe Down Allotments and we are continuing to do so. This has included exploring any statutory acquisition powers for the site.
"We have also 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.
“We are in negotiations to purchase the land and the council is also exploring alternative sites. We will continue to work with the allotment holders but we have to be realistic.
"There is no specific timeframe over which the obligation for the provision of an alternative allotment site must be satisfied.”
The council has given the allotments the status of an “asset of community value” which gives them more protection but does not protect them completely.
It means that the landlord will not be able to dispose of the site before a six week “interim moratorium” in which community interest groups or other buyers can ask the council to treat them as a potential bidder. If no requests are received, the owner may need to wait for the end of a six month “full moratorium.”