Historic sites have been handed back to the council amid rising costs

A set of historic allocations is to be dropped by the body that manages them due to rising costs.

The Grade II* listed St Ann’s Allotment in Nottingham, parts of which date back to the Tudor period, has been run by Hungerhill Developments Ltd (HDL) since 2008.

But now its boss, Cherry Wells, said rising costs and falling support from local authorities meant HDL could no longer stay involved.

Nottingham City Council, which owns the land, said it was working to “ensure the transfer goes smoothly”.

The Historic England site consists of 670 allotment gardens on 75 acres with around 800 tenants.

It also supports six community projects.

HDL, which is part of the Renewal Trust, said it had “steadily” secured vital additional funding for the site, including £4.5m from a restoration and conservation programme.

However, cost pressures “proved too difficult to overcome”.

It said following “lengthy discussions” with the authority it could not reach a “positive conclusion without funding guarantees” after March 2025.

Mrs Wells said: “We have worked with many partners and particularly gardeners to bring a derelict site back from the brink, we have secured its future protection through a Grade II* Historic England listing, we have registered it as an asset of community value and secured £5m of external investment.

“It has been a privilege to work with partners and tenants to recover, restore, conserve and manage the site so successfully.

“We are now unfortunately returning the location to the landowners after they have successfully restored the site.”

Councilor Sam Lux, executive member for leisure and culture at the city council, said: “St Ann’s Allotments is an important place in the city and we understand its value to both Nottingham and allotment holders.

“We are also very aware of the great work that has been done in maintaining and updating the plots over the last few years.

“The council has been working with Hungerhill Developments to identify how the grant we offer can be reduced in line with the wider budgetary pressures facing the authority.

“We will continue to work closely with the group to ensure a smooth transition.”