Allotments - history

The area of land being considered for use as allotments is situated approximately 80 metres off Main Street, Sutton Cheney and is surrounded on three sides with arable and grass field. The remaining boundary is with the property known as 4 Blacksmith Lane. A public footpath runs through the western side of the plot of land. The size of the plot is 1/3 of an acre.

The site was originally part of the Sutton Cheney Estate and was given to the Parish Council in 1967 to be used as a playing field. However, due to reasons unknown to the present Parish Council the site was never developed into a playing field, nor has been used for any other purpose. Today the site is best described as a very overgrown plot containing old apple trees, hawthorn bushes and self set hard wood trees. Nettles etc. cover the ground which for the most part is old Ridge and Furrow. Three sides have tall boundary hedges and the fourth boundary is a fence erected by the owner of 4 Blacksmith Lane.

In recent years there have again been requests from some parishioners of Sutton Cheney for play ground facilities for the young people of the village. This was also suggested in the HBBC Quantity / Accessibility Audit 2005, where it was suggested the demand should be investigated. The Parish Council looked for suitable sites for a play area in the village and concluded that none are available for the intended use except the Blacksmith Lane plot.

The site was inspected by Chris Pocock HBBC Green Space Technical Officer on 28 March 2007. He concluded that the site would be suitable for a play area after planning permission had been granted and the site cleared, grassed over and adequately fenced. He also advised a quick growing hedge to be planted along the boundary with the adjacent property for screening purposes. Quotations and other relevant costs for the plot conversion and annual maintenance costs were collated.

Objections to the proposed conversion of the plot to a play area were recieved from a number of residents on Blacksmith Lane. All were concerned at the possible noise and disturbance that may arise.

A number of parishioners expressed the view that the site should be around the centre of the village and others that although they fully support the need for a play area, they have concerns with the proposed site.

At a parish meeting in December 2008 the Council resolved to use the Blacksmith Lane land for allotments.