£17,000 bid to buy allotments site

On Monday evening (March 2), councillors rubber-stamped a plan to purchase Summerhill Allotments for 17,000.

The plot is of around 2.29 acres and was originally acquired by East Sussex County Council for a road scheme which is no longer needed.

If Rother is successful in buying Summerhill Allotments, the annual rent for individual plots could increase from 7 a year to 28 a year.

A council report read: "Although members were mindful of the increase to be borne by allotment holders it was considered that it was a small price to pay to ensure the continuation of the allotments at this site, rather than losing the provision altogether."