With Town Council allotment holders served 12 months’ notice to leave their plots, due to Anglian Water claiming back the leased land they stand on, plotholders share their hopes for a positive resolution
Lisa Burrell
I am deeply saddened about having to vacate our allotments, though I understand why Anglian Water made that decision. The allotments are more than just growing your own; we are a community.
I have had my allotment since December 2020. I attend my allotment regularly, either on my own or with my children. As well as trying to live more sustainably and grow my own fruit and vegetables, my allotment is my sanctuary. It is therapy away from my fast-paced everyday life.
My two children (6 and 8) love our allotment and are very upset that we only have a year left. They understand the importance of growing your own, reducing our carbon footprint, living more sustainably and also how amazing allotments are for pollinators and the local wildlife.

Our site is an amazing community. I have made many friends. We have regular bacon buttie mornings. We help the local community by donating our surplus produce to the food banks. Committee members get discounts at the local garden centres - which is a great incentive for us to shop locally for our allotment needs.
I really hope that a suitable new site will be found soon before us having to vacate so we can have sufficient time to move.
Kevin Stuart
Plot holders were shocked to receive notice that the Chapel Lane Allotment Site was to close late next year. The allotment community offers friendship, a sense of achievement, and an outlet to unwind and balance mental well-being. I get the benefits of the physical effort and the joy of growing my own veg, herbs, soft fruits, etc. I often have the grandchildren down learning how things grow and enjoying the taste of fresh produce. (There are never many peas or raspberries left after one of their visits.)
The allotment community is varied, with young and old members, some who have been there for only a year, while others have been there for nearly 20. We have worked to ensure that our members with disabilities are all welcome and supported. We also donate excess produce to the Community Outreach Project's Foodbank and occasionally to the Steps Community Food Shop at the Hope Church, with a little over 26 stones (167kg) being donated in just 9 weeks during 2024.
Cllr Michael Rosen
Anglian Water's decision to end the lease is understandable; I am sure most people understand the importance of their work. However, this has an impact on our allotment holders and the contribution they make to our town. People have invested time, money and love in their allotments. We must find a solution that reflects that. It is not going to be easy to find suitable land, go through the legal processes, and let people start anew.

I'm pleased that our MP, Ben Goldsborough, is talking with Anglian Water about resolving some of the practical problems. Ultimately, however, the Town Council will decide whether it can continue to provide allotments and what help can be given to the allotment holders dealing with the practical problems of ending the existing lease.
As Councillors, we have a responsibility to help. I want this community resource to continue. Achieving this requires us to work together. We acknowledge that the Council has limited resources. Having met with, and listened to, people who are affected by this, I appreciate the importance of finding a way forward. As both a Town and District Councillor, I will strive to achieve this.
Samantha Holden
My husband and I were shocked to receive the letter from the council. Whenever we are troubled or just feeling down, our allotment is our sanctuary, and it’s so rewarding to know that the food on our plate is something that we have grown. I’m trusting them to find another site for us as soon as possible.
Allotment Association Chairman, Howard Fuller
The allotment site will close on the 7th November 2025, and all plot holders have to remove all they can by that date. The town council gave notice in the correct way and has said they have put out a request for a suitable site, approximately 6 acres. The council leader has also said that they will provide help moving stuff from the site, as they are well aware many will not be able to do so. The Wymondham Allotment Association has also said they are prepared to work with the council to find an alternative site. One can understand that the plot-holders are upset and angry that nothing is in place at present.
A plot-holder who wishes to remain anonymous
I am disappointed with how the council has dealt with this so far. I am surprised that as the lease was due to end in 2027, there wasn’t a contingency plan already in place. The town council has declared a climate emergency. Now they need to step up and prove that it wasn’t just fine words.