A GROUP of allotment holders facing eviction from what they claim to be the oldest site in the country are delighted to have successfully registered the land as a community asset.


Stroud District Council approved the application to register Coombe Allotments as an asset of community value, adding that it is realistic to see the land continue in its use for the wellbeing of the community.


The owner of the allotment site Susan Ballinger dismissed the notion that this was a success for her tenants, saying the eviction will still go ahead and that the allotments will “cease to be”.


The Coombe Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Society, comprised of the 28 regular gardeners at the site as well as supporters and interested parties, applied to SDC to register the site as a community asset in May.


On Monday they received the news that their application had been successful.


Chairman of CALGS Norman Dadd said: “We have received the beautiful news from dear Stroud District Council that they have awarded us community status.


“We had a great amount of support and the only objection came from the landowner’s solicitors.
“We are hugely encouraged by this news – it was a brilliant day for us.”


The community asset status is also known as the ‘community right to bid’. It means that if the landlady, Ms Ballinger, wishes to sell the land she is obliged to allow members of the community, i.e. her tenants, to enter a bid. She is not, however, obligated to accept an offer they make.


The allotmenteers said they would now look to enter into a dialogue with Ms Ballinger, though she informed the Gazette there would be no deal with her tenants.


“For the avoidance of any doubt, the tenancies on Coombe Allotments will legally terminate on March 21, 2016,” she said.


“The allotments will cease to be and legally return to my possession. There will be absolutely no possibility of the land being sold to the allotment holders in the future.”


Ms Ballinger also said that she would “definitely” be looking to appeal the community asset decision, which she has eight weeks to do.


The campaigning gardeners said they were disappointed at Ms Ballinger’s comments, but still seemed optimistic about the future.


Mr Dadd said: "We note the landowner’s comments and regret that such a firm statement can be made without any face to face discussion.


“However, we are delighted that Stroud Council have stated that should the planned eviction be executed in March 2016 then the site will remain authorised solely as allotments until a change of use is applied for, permitted and implemented.


“We will fight continuously to ensure the future of this historic allotment site, believed the oldest in England, and to oppose any future change of use."


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.