A MEETING is due to be called to discuss the uncertain future of a Workington allotment site.

Allerdale council is due to meet with plot holders at Northside allotments, after eviction notices were served on them.

On April 1, Workington Town Council handed the site back to landowners Allerdale council after it was discovered the land was contaminated.

Initial plans by the town council were to revamp the site, but the cost of dealing with the contamination, coupled with increasing costs of running the site, prompted the handover.

Mark Jenkinson, Allerdale ward councillor, said: “Some plot holders have been there a long long time, we want to work with them and find a solution.”

Current regulations mean plot holders are no longer allowed to keep livestock on the town’s allotment sites, so while those growing vegetables could be relocated to existing sites, the problem remains for those keeping animals.

Coun Jenkinson said: “We’re working with Workington Town Council and Castles & Coasts housing association as well as the plot holders.

“Officers have met with allotment holders individually but we’ll have a big meeting as I understand people might want to put forward their own proposals.

“It all comes down to the contamination of the land and we need to fully understand the issue.”

He added plot holders would not be evicted imminently and that no timescale had yet been set.

A spokesman for Allerdale council said: “Currently the council intends to improve the site and is exploring the possibility of incorporating it into the Siddick Pond Nature Reserve.”

Siddick Pond is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and nature reserve.

Coun Jenkinson said: “It’s a really important gateway to the town, giving people options for their leisure time.”