Save Combe Down Allotment
The Combe Down Allotments site is under serious threat. This site has been in continuous use for 130 years, having first been leased to the Monkton Combe Parish Council in 1895 and subsequently by the City of Bath, and then B&NES, until 2024. The current owner, a private individual, has now served notice on the Council. The Council has in turn served notice on all the tenants and they have to vacate their plots by 31 October 2025.
No reasons have been given for this abrupt termination, and there has been no response from the owner to approaches by the Bath Allotments Association.
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Click below to read the full site threat document.
Designation as Asset of Community Value
The Friends of Combe Down Allotments group was formed when the threat first became apparent. The TFoCDA have successfully achieved the designation of the site as an Asset of Community Value, which gives the community the right to buy the site should the owner decide to sell or lease it. The TFoCDA are in the process of forming a community interest company (CIC) in readiness to carry out a purchase. By creating an incorporated company, the company can own property and enter into contracts in its own right, raise and apply for funding that will allow the community to be proactive in buying the land. It is proposed to call this group “Combe Down (Bath) Allotments Community Interest Company Limited” or CD (Bath) Allotments CIC Ltd. A Community Interest Company (CIC) has an “Asset Lock” that cannot be removed. The Asset Lock is designed to ensure that the assets of the CIC including any monies are used for the benefit of the community. Governance would be by both Companies House & CIC Regulator.
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In addition there has been a proactive local campaign on social media. A petition has been launched and over 5,000 people have signed so far.
Sign the petition below.
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Local Green Space
The Bath Allotments Association has made a submission to draft a new ‘Local Plan’ for designation of the site as a Local Green Space. This would bring the status of the site in line with the majority of the other sites in Bath, which have enjoyed this high level of protection since 2015. The BAA are currently in discussion with the Councillors and officers due to delays in the progress of the New Local Plan caused by the significant mandatory increase in housing numbers.
Other Information
Take a look at drone footage of the Combe Down Allotments here.
Read about the full and fascinating history of the site by a local historian here.
In 2024, SCDA and Combe Down Heritage Society embarked on a Combe Down history projects with students at Bath Spa University. The students recorded and collected oral histories of residents about the
Combe Down allotments.
Listen to four short audio interview Podcasts on the Combe Down Heritage website. Feel free to share, available at the following links: -
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Combe Down allotments podcasts – Episode 1 |
Combe Down allotments podcasts – Episode 2 |
Combe Down allotments podcasts – Episode 3 |
