Community allotment burned down in 'diabolical' arson attack

Emergency services were called to reports of a fire at the community allotments on Havannah Lane, behind Winter Grove in Ashtons Green at about 9pm on Sunday, January 16,

Two fire engines were needed to bring the burning greenhouse and community shed under control, and officers at the site remained there until around 11.40pm.

Some of the damage from last nights "arson attack"

Some of the rubble left behind after last nights fire

As volunteers of the allotment arrived, they found that their community shed – used as community hub for local groups – was "totally gone", with almost "nothing left of the entire site".

Yvonne Allen, treasurer at Havannah Lane Allotments, explained that the site had been vandalised numerous times before, but this attack was the worst of them all.

Yvonne said: "We have quite a long allotment space at the site here, but every single allotment has been damaged.

"They have stolen things from some allotments, punched windows through in others, and set fire to the toilets and the community shed – which has now totally gone."

The community hub has been burned down and there is almost "nothing left of the entire site"

The team of volunteers have set up a fundraising page to try and restart the allotments

The Havannah Lane allotment space is used for a number of community projects, with groups such as Brown's Short Respite and other volunteers using it as a social hub to meet up with others and get involved in some outdoor activities.

To accommodate all the different community groups, the team at the allotment had recently finished improvements on their community shed – spending thousands to insulate the building and make it accessible for all that use it.

Yvonne added: "The allotment has been vandalised on a regular basis and it always leaves a bitter taste, but this is the lowest of the low.

"It's absolutely diabolical. It's took us years to get where we are and something needs to be done to stop this."

In order to recoup some of the money lost to rebuild the allotments, the team of volunteers have set up a fundraising page which you can donate to here

The Havannah Lane community allotment prior to the fire