Deborah Meaden and Chris Packham criticise Roots Allotments

More than 3,400 people have signed a petition against the Roots Allotment site on a field next to the A369 at Abbots Leigh village near Bristol.

It plans to have 700 allotment plots, which will make the site one of the biggest in the country when completed.

'No dig' means growers plant into topsoil which has been placed on top of the ground so no soil is dug up, broken or turned.
 
But the site has been slammed over claims of a lack of consultation on the ecology of the land which boards two Sites of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Deborah Meaden described the site as a "precious meadow habitat". (Image: Tom Wren/SWNS) Critics have also said there hasn't been a proper assessment of wildlife there.

Dragon Den's Meaden has already said the site is "very sad'' for local wildlife and ''devastating'' for the ''precious meadow habitat''.

Naturalist and wildlife presenter Packham has criticised the location and safety of the site.

Roots Allotment group says they are addressing a 'much-needed' problem and providing an opportunity for people to sustainably grow their own food. 

But they have now been accused of ignoring locals and planners by installing a driveway leading into the site.

Last Friday contractors and head members of Roots allotments arrived on the site and spent the weekend changing what was a temporary driveway laid with rubber mats, into a hardier entrance and driveway.

Roots is operating under a CLD issued in November 2023.  (Image: Tom Wren/SWNS)They imported roughly 120 tonnes of hard-core to create a permanent track within the meadow, and according to locals, a large digger, dumper and roller arrived to begin work, which they claimed created issues on the A369 and entrance of Leigh Woods.

It has been reported local residents contacted North Somerset council's planning office - but their officers did not arrive until Monday afternoon, when the work had been completed.

One of the Roots Allotments' founders, Will Gay, told Bristol Live: “With the change in season and with recent weather conditions in mind, this has been done to limit any potential issues with mud on the private road or the wider road network.

“This is a temporary measure and one that is allowed under permitted development rights for agriculture, with the soil lifted remaining on site.

“Roots continues to operate under the Certificate of Lawful Development (CLD) to create our growing space. 

"Allotments and food production are defined within horticulture which fit into the legal definition of agriculture and the primary function of this land at Abbots Leigh is agricultural use.

“While our core infrastructure remains of temporary nature, we continue to consult with our planners and with North Somerset Council, applying for permission where relevant."

According to ITV, Roots does not need planning permission to operate the land, leased to them by descendants of the Wills tobacco family.

Supporters of the 'Save Abbots Leigh Meadow from Roots Allotments Developments' have said it is "unimaginable how arrogant and irresponsible this company is, dressing themselves up as wildlife and planet conscious, whilst ignoring calls from the council and locals, proudly opting to continue to destroy the meadow in the heart of the greenbelt."

It added: "We need to continue to pressure North Somerset Council to enforce and stop further destruction before this site, adjacent to an SSSI and a haven for numerous species of protected wildlife, including red listed skylarks that nest and breed here, is gone forever."

Naturalist and wildlife presenter Packham has spoken out. (Image: Tom Wren/SWNS)Ms Meaden publicly condemned the group's actions on its opening day on September 18.

She wrote on X: “This is devastating.

"Butterfly numbers have crashed in the UK and Roots Allotments have taken 25 acres of precious meadow habitat, and celebrate with a party.

“They could go (and) do much good in the right area but we can’t keep taking from a nature who can’t defend herself. Very sad."

Naturalist and wildlife presenter Packham has also spoken out.

In May, he wrote on Facebook: "Increasing access to green spaces is a must– and allotments are a great way to do that, and more. 

"But when you’re a venture capital-backed firm developing on species rich grassland, with breeding skylarks... you’re in the wrong Roots Allotments.

"Avon and Somerset Police have ordered work to stop on part of the site due to breeding red-listed skylarks– great. 

"But the whole project needs scrapping."

Residents have also taken to social media to express their concerns, with someone writing: "People need to understand the careless cruelty endured so they can grow their expensive courgettes!"

Another said: "Roots the ‘responsible business’: temporary road for the winter months to prevent mud on the road.

"Roots the ‘legally sound business’: a temporary road is permitted under Agri PD rights. [Note: It isn’t for allotments]

"So why do this at 5pm on a Friday and over a Saturday - the busiest time for the Forestry England access - if it’s all legit and above board?

"So that explains the two extra piles of soil at the top entrance - they’ve been left there so Roots can reinstate the meadow when they’re ordered to remove it."

Someone wrote: "Planning officers are far to lenient they need to hard-line p*ss poor practice like this. 

"If you can't submit paperwork then you can't operate. 

"If you do anything that is outside of your permissions granted you get fined and asked to put it right immediately. 

"This nonsense has to stop it's happening to often with companies running a muck!"

A North Somerset Council spokesperson said: “We’re aware that contractors brought hardcore onto the Roots Allotments site at Abbots Leigh and formed a new hardstanding. 

''We have visited the site and are of the view that planning permission is required for the works.
 
“Our planning enforcement officers have contacted Roots to explain that we consider planning permission is required. 

''We’ll continue to keep the situation under review.”

The council granted Roots a Certificate of Lawfulness in November 2023 to use the land for allotments. 

But that does did not certify that any other works or uses carried out on the land are lawful in planning terms.

A Certificate of Lawful Development allows allotments as an agricultural use but prevents the laying of a hard surface for parking.

The council has contacted Roots ''to invite them to remove the works or apply for retrospective planning permission to keep them".