Sad Allotment Holders Evicted Mid-Season

Allotment tenants in Greystoke, Penrith, are facing eviction from their plots, a situation described as "very, very sad" as it occurs mid-growing season. The current tenants were served a six-month notice period in February to vacate the land, which has been utilized for allotments for over a century.

A planning application for a housing development on this historic site was submitted late last year. The proposals include constructing four houses on the allotment grounds and an additional 39 homes in the adjacent field. This land has historical ties to the Howard family, who established the Greystoke Community Allotments after World War One to aid village recovery.

Tenants requested an extension to harvest their produce but were denied by land management company GSC Gray, who stated the landowners' position remained "unchanged." Adam Day, a 16-year tenant, highlighted significant objections to the housing plans from residents and officials, citing concerns over ecology, drainage, highways, and flooding. These issues are expected to prolong the planning application's resolution.

Greystoke Parish Council and the Environment Agency have formally raised objections to the proposed development, underscoring the community and environmental concerns surrounding the loss of these long-standing allotments.