For more than a century villagers have grown fruit and veg on allotments at King’s Somborne, a picture postcard village in the Test valley, Hampshire.
But plot holders are up in arms after being served eviction notices from the owner of the land, the diocese of Winchester, to make way for housing.
The allotment association chair, Andrew Causer, said villagers were disgusted at the timing of the letters, which arrived over the festive period.
He said: “The pleasure and mental health benefits of growing one’s own food inexpensively is known to everyone. During a cost of living crisis, the allotment association is appalled by this failure of Christian leadership by the diocese.”
Plot holders were offered a new allotment site but Causer said it was unsuitable because the area was so steep that it was popular for tobogganing.
One of the 36 allotment holders being evicted, Glenda Sims, 87, said: “It’s absolutely disgusting because the fact we live in the middle of nowhere means we have to use fuel to get to places to buy food.
“It’s utterly ridiculous when we can grow it here. I’m sure many marriages have lasted because of the allotments because you can let off steam here. It’s really important.”
The Romsey MP Caroline Nokes said: “The timing of the diocese in sending these notices over Christmas was appalling, and I know upset the recipients enormously.
“It is worth noting that the archbishop of Canterbury has recently been opining about sustainability and food prices, yet here we have the Church of England evicting allotment holders from fertile and productive land they had cultivated for generations.”
A spokesperson from the diocese of Winchester said: “The discussions to relocate the allotments in King’s Somborne and develop the existing site have been under way since 2018.
“This has been a sensitive and complex process as we’ve tried to weigh up the competing needs of charity legislation, ecclesiastical law, and the desires of local community groups.
“We are very aware that the allotment holders have been keen for us to provide a clear timescale for the next stages as soon as possible to help them plan and prepare for the relocation to their new adjacent allotment site and facilities.”
