A CAMPAIGN to save a set of allotments in Coombe near Wotton-under-Edge is going from strength to strength – and tenants are now claiming it is the oldest site in the country.

Those who garden at Coombe allotments have discovered, through archives at Berkeley Castle, that their site is 252 years old, which they claim makes it the oldest in England.

Meanwhile, the decision on the allotmenteers’ application to register the land as an asset of community value is expected on Friday, June 26.

Campaigner for the allotments Martin Clarke told the Gazette about the group’s fresh claim that the site is the oldest in the country, with thanks to archivists at Berkeley Castle.

Earlier records held by the group indicated that the site had been there since at least 1847.

“The allotment site is clearly shown on the Berkeley 1763 map," he said.

"The boundaries are unchanged and we see no reason a square half acre would have been fenced off other than as community gardens.

“So we’re now claiming to be the oldest.”

The Coombe Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Society, formed to galvanise those fighting the eviction of tenants from the allotments, celebrated their recent progress at the Toby Buckland Garden Festival at Bowood earlier this month.

Mr Clarke said: “We had the opportunity to host a one-hour debate on allotments at the festival, as well as having a stall for two days. We received a great deal of interest.”

The CALGS application to register the land as a community asset, thus preserving it as a site for gardening, is now nearing a decision.

The application, submitted to Stroud District Council has received support from the Cotswold Conservation Board, as well as individuals in the area, in addition to some negative response from Loxley Solicitors, the firm heading the eviction on behalf of the owner of the land.

It was on Saturday, March 21, when the tenants of the allotments, some of whom have been using the site for more than 40 years, first received the unexpected notice to quit from landlady Sue Ballinger via Loxley Solicitors.

When approached by the Gazette Ms Ballinger declined to comment - however a letter sent by her to tenants stated that she required the land back to use as grazing land for her horses.

Keep up to date with CALGS progress by following gazetteseries.co.uk and @FightforCoombe.

The community asset application can be viewed at www.stroud.gov.uk/PLO/community_asset.aspx