Agreement made to save Stan Pennington Allotments at a huge cost

As reported by the Star in April, plot holders at Stan Pennington Allotments were told by the landowners that they would need to vacate the Eccleston site by November 2023.

With allotments long-acknowledged for their social, environmental, and mental health benefits, this decision caused uproar in the community, particularly as a covenant was placed on the Alder Hey Road site to protect its use as a horticultural venue.

However, following a dedicated campaign by plot holders, the landowners backed down from their demands and agreed on a purchase price for the site.

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The allotment site has been a vital part of the community for 70 years (Image: Stan Pennington Allotments)
With the former Pilkington Glass-owned allotments a part of the community for the past 70 years, the 90 plot holders celebrated the agreement which could save the future of the site.

However, although one step has been secured, the tenants now face a fresh battle in raising enough funds to purchase the land.

To try and secure the future of the site, the group has registered to protect the land as an 'Asset of Community Value' with St Helens Council, and applied for funding through the government's 'Community Ownership Fund'.

If successful, this could provide plot holders with 80% of the site's original valuation of £50,000.

The plots are viewed as having a range of social, environmental, and mental health benefits (Image: Stan Pennington Allotments)
However, after rounds of protracted negotiations, the site owners disputed this estimation and revalued the land at a "non-negotiable" figure of £100,000, plus an additional £6,000 in legal fees.

This means that allotment campaigners need to find £66,000 in order to save the site, or if the 'Community Ownership Fund' is unsuccessful, they will need to fund the whole purchase of £106,000.

Although the allotment group has around £10,000 in reserves, and many plot holders have pledged to donate significant sums, the fundraising target has caused a huge headache for those battling to keep the site as it is.

While asking the community to donate what they can, the plot holders are also organising fundraising events throughout the next few months to raise as much awareness and money as possible.

These will include quiz nights, bingo events, family fun days, Easter egg hunts, and a Christmas fundraiser with Santa at the allotments on Saturday, December 9.

The site is also used by a variety of community groups (Image: Stan Pennington Allotments)
Giles Whalley, chair of the Stan Pennington Allotment co-operative, said: "I've had a plot at the allotments since 2007 and my sister attends one of the social groups there, so I know how vital it is in the community.

"For my sister and a lot of people in the community, the allotments were a big thing during the pandemic, and they became a regimented routine for many people.

"There are huge waiting lists on allotment sites across the country so we are just trying to stay positive and raise as much money as we can."

To donate and help save Stan Pennington Allotments, you can visit their fundraiser here, and more information can be found here.