A west Cumbrian village community group is raising funds for developments at its allotment site
Seaton Allotment Society is aiming to expand on its 20 allotments near Meadow Vale Estate - building a clubhouse, a new polytunnel, a shared orchard, and a fish pond made up of old railway sleepers.
These allotments have been in use since spring 2018.
The allotments previously used by the society on Lowca Lane had been lost following what they described as a 'lengthy legal dispute' with an ex-allotment holder who purchased the land.
Seaton Allotment Society secretary Robert McCracken talked of what the new developments will provide: “A tranquil place to escape the ever-increasing stresses and strains of modern life whilst proving a valuable place for nature and wild animals to flourish and visit."
He added: “A new small clubhouse will allow us to hold our meetings as well as teach younger members the importance of allotment gardening and good organic gardening practices.”
The area which is to be developed is some scrubland in the middle of the site.
Mr McCracken said of the prospective polytunnel: “You’ve got your standard crops that you can grow which are like tomatoes or your chilies, then it allows you to grow things like melons, cucumbers and more exotic sort of things like grapes.”
As to the longstanding legal battle over the previous allotments, Mr McCracken claimed that each allotment owner was 'forced' to pay out £1,200.
He said: “I know it's a lot of money because we're just trying to grow some vegetables, but we were prosecuted for trespassing.”
He said the society then made use of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908, which stipulates that local councils must actively look for land for allotments to support the labouring population, to help find their current site.
The council has so far provided £1,500 to go towards the construction of the polytunnel.
Seaton Allotment Society has a GoFundMe page, which has a target of £3,500.
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