HISTORIC allotments could be built on after the owner of the site suggested she would sell the land to a developer – despite a campaign to save the area.

Susan Ballinger, who owns the allotments in Coombe near Wotton-under-Edge, served her tenants with an eviction notice in March and triggered an overwhelming backlash from the community.

Now, shortly after residents successfully had the land given community asset value in a bid to protect it, Ms Ballinger has told Stroud District Council she will sell the site for development.

But the council has said that any attempt to build houses on the allotments, believed to be the oldest in the country, would likely be “doomed to failure”.

Norman Dadd, chairman of the Coombe Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Society, told the Gazette that the community asset status would allow the group to submit a bid for the land.

“Given the asset of community value status, we will have the opportunity, prior to August 21, to tell the council whether or not we will be putting in a bid," he said.

“It is undoubtable that we will give them notice that we will submit a bid.”

But Ms Ballinger told the Gazette she had been approached by a developer, and said she is not legally bound to accept any offer made by the allotment holders.

She said: “I shall not be pursuing my right to appeal the decision to make my allotments an asset of community value.

“I have had an approach from a developer.

“It is the right of the allotment holders to express an interest by August 21 for the allotments, though I am not legally bound to accept it.

“As I have stated before, in any eventuality, the notices to quit the allotments on the March 22, 2016, still apply.”

In a further twist, Stroud District Council informed the Gazette that any prospective housing development would be greatly hindered by the land’s asset of community value status.

A spokesman for the council said: “Stroud District Council is well aware of the sensitivity of this site and has sought to protect it from sale and redevelopment by registering it as an asset of community value.

“Furthermore, the council's existing and emerging Local Plan together with national policies would indicate that a housing scheme would be doomed to failure.

“The community will be fully consulted at all stages and has been made aware of its options by officers of the council.”

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 Mrs Ballinger via Loxley Solicitors.

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

Since then the campaign has gone from strength to strength, amassing nearly 1,000 Twitter followers (@FightForCoombe) and earning support from celebrities like Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.

Allotments campaigner Martin Clarke said: “The eviction touched a raw nerve and stuck a dagger in the heart of the community.

“It isn’t surprising that people reacted with vigour and enthusiasm.”

Here is the full statement from head of planning at Stroud District Council, Phil Skill, on the issue:

"The Allotments at Coombe are well known to the Council as they are registered as an Asset of Community Value under the Localism Act.

"This designation acknowledges the value of allotments to the community and their cultural heritage. The Owner has contacted the Council to inform us of their intention to dispose of the land for redevelopment.

"This has triggered a process which will involve the local community considering putting in a bid to acquire the land. The owner must consider any bid before accepting any offers, and this is likely to hold up the sale for around six months.

"The parish council also has options under the Allotments Acts to acquire the land via compulsory purchase and we understand that this is being given serious consideration.

"Selling the land to a developer is only half the story. Stroud District Council must also consider the possible redevelopment of the land.

"Whilst the council cannot give cast iron guarantees prior to seeing the proposal and consulting the local community, on a matter of principle the development of the site for housing would not accord with the existing or emerging Local Plan, nor with the National Planning Policy Framework.

"The hamlet is without any of the facilities one would associate with a sustainable location. There is no shop or pub, it has very poor connections with other settlements, particularly Wotton under Edge and as such reliance on the car would be inevitable.

"The site is prominent in the settlement and within the AONB and as such from a landscape point of view is extremely challenging. In addition the loss of allotments, whether private of otherwise is contrary to national and local plans.

"The council must also be mindful of  the loss of cultural and leisure facilities to this remote location. Whilst this deals with the constraints on development, the construction of a handful of market houses would provide no social or economic benefit to the community of Coombe and as such there is little to balance against the significant detriment to the parish.

"In short, given the issues raised, and the council’s excellent record on defending such applications at appeal, the landowner may wish to reconsider this approach and save their money in both application and professional fees."