Council give hope on opening of Northallerton allotment site

Over the last two years, the Northallerton Sports Village has been steeped in delays, controversy and a wait for a section of the land to be transferred over to North Yorkshire Council. 

While the main sports village site, which includes a one-kilometre running track, was opened to the public last December, delays surrounding the allotment site and any activity that required a permit on the patch of land in Northallerton being banned. 

Unused allotments at Northallerton Sports Village (Image: STUART BOULTON) Due to the delays, the allotments have remained locked for the last two years, with sheds laid down and weeds almost four feet high covering the plots.

Damage and rust to the sheds and the fencing housing the allotment have also been seen, with many asking questions about why the allotment stage of the project was able to go ahead if there was no intention of land transfer.

In a recent update last week, North Yorkshire Council said that it continued to share the frustrations of residents and that it was working to get the land transferred over to it 'as soon as possible'.

The gate to the allotments at Northallerton Sports Village (Image: STUART BOULTON) Speaking last week, North Yorkshire Council’s assistant director for culture, leisure and libraries, Jo Ireland, said: “We continue to understand and share the frustration of residents and we are all keen to resolve the outstanding issues so the site can be fully open for community use as soon as possible.

“Discussions are continuing with legal representatives regarding the transfer of the land.”

This wait could finally be over, though, with the council hinting that the land transfer has now taken place.

Council give hope on opening of Northallerton allotment site:

Issuing the update at the Richmond (Yorks) Area Committee meeting on Monday (November 18) at County Hall in Northallerton, the council said that the land transfer was 'recently completed', although 'other negotiations' needed to take place before the allotment site could be officially opened.

Allotments at Northallerton Sports Village (Image: STUART BOULTON) This update on Monday was prompted by a question about the Northallerton Sports Village by Northallerton Town councillor Andrew Hugo, who spoke during the public participation section of the meeting. 

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Hugo said: "The North Northallerton project has faced extensive delays. We have asked questions and there is never any progress. 

"There are 18 sheds on the allotment site, but there are now weeds and remedial works to sort because it's been left in a state for so long. 

"Can I ask what the legal issues standing in the way of the land transfer?"

In response, a statement from North Yorkshire Council's legal services was read out by Stephen Loach, who acts as the democratic services officer at the local authority. 

The statement read out at Monday's meeting by Mr Loach said: "The transfer of the land was recently completed last week. Negotiations are currently ongoing and it's hoped that the allotments on the site will open shortly."