Use this page for updates on Combe Down allotments.
Currently there are 64 allotments on the land off Church Lane, Combe Down, which we lease from a private landowner. There have been allotments on this site for nearly 100 years.
Earlier this year the landowner gave us informal advance warning of his intention to end the lease in 2025. Since then we have been working to resolve this situation. We signalled willingness to engage with the landowner as well as our 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.
This is a complex legal situation which the council is doing its very best to resolve.
Latest news
October 2024
The landowner has served notice on us to vacate his land in Combe Down.
We are now serving notice on allotment holders to vacate their plots by October 2025. Find out more on our Newsroom.
Earlier this year we had been given informal advance notice of the landowner’s intention to serve formal notice to terminate our lease, but at that time no dates were given and the information was non-binding. Since then, discussions have been ongoing between us and the landowner to ensure we can remain in occupation, including the possibility of purchasing the site.
Now a solicitor’s letter from the landowner to us says we must vacate the land at Combe Down by November 30 2025. We have informed allotment holders.
We are in negotiations to purchase the land and we are also exploring alternative sites. It will continue to work with the allotment holders, however there is no specific timeframe over which the obligation for the provision of an alternative allotment site must be satisfied.
August 2024
Combe Down allotments were registered as an Asset of Community Value on 14 August 2024. This means that although the landowner is free to sell to any buyer of their choice, 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 we treats them as a potential bidder
- waiting until the end of a six month ‘full moratorium’ period if we do receive such a request
Read the full press release here.
Previous action taken
- Engaged solicitors
- Explored the statutory provisions the council has to retain the land for allotments. This included exploring any acquisition powers for the site.
- Requested meetings with the landowner to understand why he intends to serve notice.
- Informed allotment holders and the community of Combe Down
- Written to the landowner’s solicitor reminding them of the statutory obligations of the landowner under the various Allotment Acts (including the statutory notice period with respect to termination)
- The Leader, Cabinet Member and Ward Councillors held a meeting with the community While this is a complex legal matter we will keep this page updated as regularly as possible.
- We have also set up a dedicated email address for you to contact us combedown_projects@bathnes.gov.uk