Historic allotments handed back to council
The history of the site dates back to the Tudor period
- Published
A set of historic allotments are to be given up by the body which runs them due to rising costs.
The Grade II* listed St Ann's allotments, in Nottingham, parts of which date back to the Tudor period, have been run by Hungerhill Developments Ltd (HDL) since 2008.
But now its boss, Cherry Wells, has said soaring costs and shrinking support from the local authority means HDL can no longer remain involved.
Nottingham City Council, which owns the land, said it was working to "ensure the transfer takes place smoothly".
The Historic England site consists of 670 allotment gardens over 75 acres, with about 800 tenants.
It also supports six community projects.
Community projects and hundreds of tenants use the allotments
HDL, which is part of the Renewal Trust, said it had "consistently" secured vital additional funds for the site including £4.5m from a restoration and conservation programme.
However, the cost pressures "proved too hard to overcome".
It said following "lengthy discussions" with the authority it was unable to reach a "positive conclusion with no assurances of funding" after March 2025.
'Budget pressures'
Ms Wells said: "We have worked with many partners and especially the gardeners to bring a derelict site back from the brink, have ensured its future protection through a Grade II* Historic England listing, registered it as an Asset of Community Value and secured over £5m of external investment.
"It has been a privilege to work with partners and tenants to recover, restore, conserve and manage the site so successfully.
"We now very sadly return the site to the landowners having successfully achieved the restoration of the site."
Councillor Sam Lux, executive member for leisure and culture at the city council, said: "St Ann’s allotments is an important site within the city and we understand its value both for Nottingham and to allotment holders.
"We’re also very aware of the great work which has been done in maintaining and updating the plots over recent years.
"The council has been working with Hungerhill Developments to identify how the subsidy that we provide can be reduced, in line with wider budget pressures facing the authority.
"We will continue working closely with the group to ensure the transfer takes place smoothly."
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