Historic allotments in Bath where plot holders were evicted last year could potentially reopen, as the local council prepares to take on the landowner.
Combe Down Allotments were shut down after 130 years in November last year, after the owner of the land gave Bath and North East Somerset Council notice to vacate. Now the council is considering using a compulsory purchase order to force the landowner to sell it the land.
Council cabinet member Paul Roper said: “Our preference always has been and remains one where we reach an agreement that enables allotment provision to be restored at Combe Down without the need to use statutory powers — these would be a last resort.
“What we want to do at this stage is simply keep that option available while negotiations continue, so that we have a route forward if all reasonable efforts to reach an agreement are exhausted.”
The council cabinet will vote on November 12 on whether to agree in principle to use a compulsory purchase order to buy the site if attempts at negotiation fail. It has been attempting to make a deal for the last 18 months, but no agreement has been reached.
The 64 allotment holders were ordered to leave by November 30 2025, despite a petition to save the allotments signed by over 6,000 people. The land has lain vacant and disused ever since.
The allotments were first leased to Monkton Combe Parish Council in 1895, and were later transferred to the City of Bath and ultimately Bath and North East Somerset Council. The council has always leased the land and never owned the freehold. It made two offers to buy the site in 2025 but both were refused. The landowner turned down the first offer saying he wanted £1.4 million for the site.
