Work could soon begin on creating 45 new allotments along the northern edge of agricultural land at Gelliargwellt Uchaf Farm, with residents in adjacent properties being given first refusal.
With allotment gardening gaining in popularity, the Caerphilly local development plan identifies a need for suitable locations to meet the increasing demand. The proposed piece of land is on the southern edge of Gelligaer, where the Waun Rhydd SINC backs onto houses along Aneurin Bevan Avenue. The allotments would be accessed off Claerwen and the individual plots can be approached along the fire service access track that runs along Waun Rhydd.
Alun Price, owner and director of Price & Co Farming and Bryn Group, which owns the land, said: “While this is agricultural land, we do not use it as such at the moment and its quiet location means it suffers from fly-tipping and arson. By turning this into allotments, we can make it harder for this kind of anti-social behaviour to happen and put the land to good use by local people.
“We have consulted with Caerphilly planning officers about these proposals, which form part of a wider programme designed to support and enhance biodiversity in the area.
“We plan to improve the fire access track, provide an informal hardcore parking area and erect fencing to protect the new plots, on which allotment holders will be allowed to erect a small shed or greenhouse.
“Waun Rhydd is known locally as ‘the common’ but it is not common access land. There is a public right of way nearby, which is unaffected, and we want to create an official public footpath that runs the length of the fire access track along the edge of Waun Rhydd. This will protect access in perpetuity.”
Local residents would have first refusal on the allotments backing onto their gardens, followed by local people before making them more generally available. There will be only a modest annual charge for rent and services, and to protect the rights of the landowner, but charges will be much lower than similar sized allotments in the area.
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