Plot holders 'treated like dirt' in closure row

Plot holders who were told they must leave a Sheffield allotment said they felt they had been "treated like dirt" following its sudden closure.

Tenants at Infield Lane, Darnall, said they found the privately-owned site barricaded and padlocked without warning on 1 October.

A notice pinned to the gate stated they had two weeks to vacate but plot holders claim they had been locked out and denied vehicle access.

The owners of the site did not respond when contacted by the BBC.

A letter seen by the BBC and sent on behalf of the landowners and agencies such as South Yorkshire Police, the RSPCA and the Animal and Plant Health Agency noted a meeting had been held in January, discussing "numerous" issues at the site.

The correspondence listed animal welfare concerns, illegal burning of waste, arson, obstructive plot holders, illegal animal slaughter, illegal breeding of dogs, including banned breeds, among other concerns.

As a result, the letter said, the allotments would be closing, the site secured and animals removed.

Several of the 200-plus plot holders, including members of the Community Allotment project, said they had not been made aware of the closure plans until October.

Sarah Emberson, who helps run the project which supports people with mental health issues, disabilities and dementia, described the loss of facilities as "devastating".

She said it remained unclear when people would be able to retrieve their belongings but a letter dated 17 October stated that anyone entering the site unauthorised would be prosecuted.

"They [the owners] have talked about arranging one day for us to get on and get all our stuff off but with no vehicle access," she told BBC Look North.

"So that would involve dismantling everything in a day and carrying it all the way back down that track to a vehicle.

"It's just not feasible."

According to Ms Emberson, they were told any additional day of access would cost them more than £3,000.

Paul Campbell, who has used the site for 41 years, said it had been his "escape" while caring for his mother full-time for nearly two decades.

He said he had initially planned to hand over his plot to an autism support group this year but was now unable to.

"It's ridiculous really, it's a major facility in Darnall," he said.

"We had no warning at all, they treat us like dirt. They have for the 10 years they've been here."

Sheffield City Council confirmed since the closure earlier this month, it had worked with police and the RSPCA to remove livestock and other animals from the site.

Where appropriate, it had offered support to allotment holders and would continue to offer advice as needed, the local authority said.

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