Historic allotments to stay 'asset of community value'

Allotments have now been cleared in Starkholmes and Christmas Trees have planted at the site

A former Derbyshire allotment site set up by World War One veterans has had its protected status affirmed by a judge.

The site in Starkholmes, near Matlock, was designated an "asset of community value" by Derbyshire Dales District Council, a move that puts planning conditions on its sale.

Brian Newton, the owner of the site, challenged this designation at a tribunal, but it was dismissed.

The allotments had previously been cleared and Christmas trees put in its place, but this will remain unless the land is put up for sale or a compulsory purchase order made.

There were 36 allotments at the site that was set up after World War One

In response to the ruling, a Derbyshire Dales District Council spokesperson said: “We defended the designation of Starkholmes allotments as an asset of community value and our work has been vindicated at tribunal.

“We have always recognised the importance of the allotments in the Starkholmes community and we will continue to work with key stakeholders to seek a positive outcome for the community.”

Allotments in Starkholmes were cleared last year and the site has now become a Christmas tree farm

Now, if the developer decides to sell the land then local community groups will be given priority to buy it, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The only other way the land would become allotments again is if there was a compulsory purchase order.

The allotments were set up for returning service personnel from World War One, as a method of rest and rehabilitation and were used by people in the village for more than 100 years.

Responding to the ruling, a legal representative for Mr Newton said he had offered to meet the costs of transferring the allotments to suitable council-owned land available nearby, but that proposal was rejected.

They said there would be no future community use of the land which has been used for the past 12 months and the foreseeable future for the farming of Christmas trees.

They added a number of local residents had commented favourably to Mr Newton on the much-improved appearance of the land since its use as allotments ceased.