WILLITON’S allotment plots have been saved from the threat of being sold and enough money has been raised to buy the site on the A39 and develop it as a community asset, jubilant campaigners announced.

Last October, it was feared Williton could lose the 32 plots which had been part of village life since 2006, after the site was put up for sale by its owners.

In a bid to prevent this happening, campaigners formed the community interest group Williton Allotments Ltd, to buy and develop the land.

Since then, fund-raisers have secured grants from the Government’s levelling-up Community Ownership Fund, Somerset Council’s Section 106 money and Williton Parish Council.

Money has also come from crowd-funding and local residents.

Some of the allotments on the Williton site which has been bought for the village.
Some of the allotments on the Williton site which has been bought for the village. (George Ody)

A Williton allotments spokesman said: “We are very lucky because there is fierce competition for grants.

“We are delighted that we have secured all the funds we need to buy the land and negotiations should be complete by the end of April.

“Then, we can go ahead with plans which include the development of 20 new plots, which should be available by mid-summer.

“These will be on an adjoining paddock.

“We are also planning a wildlife pond, a nature reserve, a community meeting facility, and a car park.

“There will also be facilities for NHS patients and care home residents to enjoy gardening and the outdoor life.

“We intend to work with organisations like Somerset Care and Croft House, in Williton, to provide facilities like a polytunnel and raised beds.

“We are very excited that the scheme is going ahead and we have been very generously supported by members of the public, local councils, and the National Allotments Society.

“The plan is to secure, protect, and develop the land for the local community as well as for allotment holders.

“We were thrilled by the fantastic support from the public, with so many people wanting to help save something which is a vital part of our village.

The Williton allotments site.
The Williton allotments site. (George Ody)

“The present landlord made us a very generous offer but at the time we knew we would be at the mercy of any potential future land-owner who could give us a legal notice to quit the land.

“That’s why we had to make sure that the allotments stayed in the community.”

The current allotments were established after the previous plots in Bridge Street made way for the St Peter’s Close housing development.

In a statement, Dougie Towells, chairman of the new not-for-profit company, said: “Buying the land means that the allotments will remain secure and available, not just for people who currently live in Williton, but for our children and grandchildren in perpetuity.”

The new allotment company said any expansion at the Williton site would help fill the void caused by other allotments in the area being closed or lost through coastal erosion, and would help reduce the current waiting lists.