Bath: Campaign to save 130-year-old Combe Down allotments

The Combe Down allotments have been open for 130 years in Bath

Plot holders at the oldest allotment site in a city have started a campaign to save it because they are concerned about its future.

The Combe Down Allotment was opened in 1894, but the landowner has given notice to the council that the long-term lease will terminate in 2025.

Jackie Wilkinson is on the committee of the Bath Allotments Association: "We're devastated the landowner has made this decision.

"This site is historic."

She added: "The Combe Down site was set up for Bath's mine workers in the late nineteenth century, so they could feed their families.

"What we're now worried about is there are no other sites in the area which has this size to grow our fruit and vegetables.

"We have asked the landowner to explain his decision and he hasn't come back to us."

Chris Pearce got his first plot at the allotment in 1978

The Combe Down site has 64 plots, with potential for 22 more and a waiting list of 44 people.

'Huge surprise'

Gardener Chris Pearce has had a plot at the site for 45 years and said: "It's always been here and I can't imagine Bath without this site.

"We often talk about wellbeing and allotments and growing is just the root of that - I think they are a must.

"I've grown all sorts of produce here for years and it came as a huge surprise to all of us.

"It would be such a sad day for the city if this allotment is closed."

The allotment site was originally opened for miners living in the city in 1894

Dr Bharat Pankhania, councillor for Combe Down, said: "I felt my heart sink when it was announced the landowner wanted to terminate their lease.

"I'm doing everything possible to keep the land for the allotment open as it's causing heart ache for all the allotment holders.

"I personally delivered a letter to the landlord in Liverpool to hope we can open up a dialogue of conversation to show how much this site means to people."

The BBC has contacted the landowner of the Combe Down allotment site but they declined to comment.