After a prolonged and heated dispute, a highly divisive allotment project near Bristol has finally received full planning permission.
Roots, a private allotment company, began transforming a meadow in North Somerset into 700 commercial allotments in April 2023. Their plans faced fierce opposition from the local community of Abbots Leigh, prompting interventions from both the police and the local council.
Roots initially argued that allotments are a form of agriculture and therefore do not require planning permission. North Somerset Council granted them a certificate of lawfulness for the allotments in November 2023. However, when the site opened in September 2024, the council ruled that additional works—including a gravel access track, two shipping containers for a tool shed and office, and CCTV—required full planning approval.
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On July 16, the planning committee of North Somerset Council reviewed Roots’ application. Christian Samuel, Roots' co-founder, stressed the necessity of these features: “The track provides essential access for food growing, and the tool shed stores tools, seeds, and educational materials used daily by the community.”
Unlike many council-run allotments, Roots operates as a private company founded in Bath by four friends. Their allotments, priced from £9.99 per month, include access to seeds, courses, and tools. Facing long waitlists in Bristol, Roots aims to alleviate what it calls the “allotment crisis.”
The project has drawn criticism from figures like Deborah Meaden and naturalist Chris Packham, the latter expressing concern about the loss of “species-rich grassland with breeding skylarks.” Responding to these worries, Samuel said: “We flipped the script. The allotments are now the only area where skylarks are feeding.” He highlighted their “no dig” method, which helps suppress carbon emissions and restore the soil. “At the end of the day, it’s just vegetables,” he concluded.
Not everyone agreed. Parish councillor Jenny Stoodley warned the access track could lead to car parking encroaching on the green belt, commenting: “Introducing structures such as cars, shipping containers, and CCTV in this sensitive green belt is exactly what greenbelt policy aims to prevent.”
Councillors debated the application thoroughly. Conservative Peter Burden admitted reservations but emphasized the need for balance: “There are an awful lot of people enjoying rural countryside and being outside.” Liberal Democrat Ash Cartman recognized the value of encouraging outdoor engagement but questioned the need for an office on site.
The committee voted 7-3 in favor of the planning application, while a separate application for site signage received unanimous approval.
Following the decision, Samuel expressed gratitude: “There are so many people that need this space — I’m glad that the planning issues are finally behind us.”
Abbots Leigh Parish Council chair Simon Talbot-Ponsonby voiced disappointment: “It’s basically ruined that part of the green belt.” Stoodley echoed this sentiment but found some solace in the fact that Roots now cannot proceed without planning permission in future. “If others follow this precedent, then we’ve achieved something,” she said.