Threat to the Allotments? Towards the end of August several plot holders were dismayed to see surveyors in the fields around the area and ultimately on the allotments themselves. Enquiries as to their mission obtained the answer that they were measuring the fields (Church property) including the allotment field for the Church who were considering selling them to housing developers. Contact with the land agent, who acts for the Church Commissioners for collection of rent and other matters regarding the land, produced information that the surveyors were in fact working for 'a developer' interested in buying the land.

Allotments with fields to be built on in the distance.

(23/12/2009 - See Developer's display see also Emergency Committee Meeting 17/12/2009 and Public access to Blaby planning applications)

Other information gleaned from this and other sources revealed that the district council is looking to satisfy a building quota, imposed from 'above', of up to five hundred houses in and around Countesthorpe. (This quota includes the current proposals for building to the north of the village.) It seemed that the 'plan' was to build on all the fields from the Cricket ground to the Willoughby Road including the allotment field, with access to the 'estate' from Willoughby Road and, possibly, Menecy Close.

CGAS Committee swung into action. The Chairman attended a Parish Council meeting where he outlined the known information and at which it was apparent that, at that stage the council did not know about the 'plan' to sell the Glebe land and build south of the village. A letter was written and sent to the Bishop of Leicester and the Glebe Committee. An acknowledgement was received from the Bishop. We then had to wait to see what news would come from, what appeared to be, a special meeting of the Glebe Committee on the 10th of September. For some time the only news that emerged from that meeting was that our letter had been discussed.

On the afternoon of the 7th October CGAS Committee members received news that a developer wishes to take an option to purchase on the land dependent upon planning permission. It was further stated that the developer was aware of the existence of the allotments on the land and the need for such facilities. It was stated that it was the developer's intention to retain the allotments in their current 'L' shape to the east and north of the hay field and build upon the rest of the field.

On the face of it this is great news. The allotments will be saved. However, several members still have grave misgivings about the scheme. See the comments page. It remains to be seen what the actual plans are and nothing much can be done until the actual planning request is made public. In the mean time the Committee are drafting a letter to the Parish Council stating our position and the need for more allotments.

Recently (late November) a letter was received from the Bishop exlpaining the Church's planns regarding the Glebe lands. The following is an excerpt:

Following on from my letter to you on September 7th, I can now update you further on the matter of the Glebe land in Countesthorpe.

The Glebe Committee of the Diocese at its recent meeting decided not to sell the land on which the allotments stand.  I am sure you and your colleagues will welcome this development.  The committee did agree, however, to look to sell the rest of the glebe land for development with a right of access over the allotments.  I hope you will agree with me that this seems a fair arrangement.  For further information on the details of this decision please will you be in toouch with the Glebe Committee secretary...

I do send you and the other allotment holders my very best wishes as you continue to nurture and develop your land.

More good and bad news:

So the good, for now, is that the allotment 'Landlord' will remain the Church but the Committee sought clarification from the land agent on the details. In particular the details of the 'right of access.

It seems the the plan is indeed to sell all the land up to Willoughby road for building including the 'allotment' field but keeping only the 'L' shape that has allotments on in Church ownership. This plan would put 'allotments' land across the end of Glebe Drive. However the developer needs to build in access from Glebe Drive to the development (presumably for planing permission reasons) for "Emergency vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists".

We have been 'reassured' that whatever fencing off from the access route we need will be provided.