AN allotment plot in Bradford has been listed as an “Asset of Community Value” after a group's attempts to protect the site from development were supported by Councillors.

But the group was warned that the listing may have little sway in deciding the site’s future.

The Ashwell allotments, next to St Barnabas Church in Heaton, were recently sold, with the new buyer expressing interest in developing the site.

The current allotment holders were given notice that their tenancies would end at the end of the year.

They formed the Friends of Ashwell allotments, and late last year applied to have the site listed as an Asset of Community Value. The listing would mean that if the site is ever put up for sale, the group would be given time to bid to purchase the site.

At a meeting of Bradford Council’s Bradford West Area Committee on Wednesday, members voted to approve the listing, but only after a debate over what it would achieve.

Saeed Mahmood had purchased the land from the Parochial Church Council of Girlington, Heaton and Manningham last year, paying over £130,000.

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He had objected to the application to list the site as an asset of community value, and the meeting was told he had eventually hoped to develop the site. He already had possession of a number of the allotments.

Nigel Gillatt, from the Council's estates department, said the site met all the criteria to be classed as a community asset.

He was asked if the listing would prevent any future planning applications for the site being submitted or approved.

The meeting was told it would not - the listing would be taken into account by planning officers, but it wouldn't be an automatic refusal.

Kerr Kennedy, speaking on behalf of the allotment holders, said news that the land was going to be sold had come as "quite a shock" to allotment holders.

He said: "Some have been growing on here for 20 years. We wanted to set up a community organisation to protect green space that has been available to many people over 80 years. It is so important that green spaces like this, however small, should be protected by the local authority."

He said if the group did take possession of the land, they would promote it as a community facility.

Councillor Kamran Hussain (Lab, Toller), said: "I support green spaces, I think we should have more of them, they help with healthy lifestyles. But I do ask if this process is just taking place to burden an individual who has made a heavy investment on the piece of land.

"Given the circumstances I'm not of the view that this Asset of Community Value will benefit. The owners have made it very clear the new owner won't be using the land for allotments in the future."

Mr Gillatt replied: "It is not a case of whether it will benefit any cause, it is whether it meets the criteria."

Councillor Sinead Engel (Lab, Clayton and Fairweather Green) said: "I'm not convinced that designating this as an asset of community value will achieve what the applicants wish for.

"But I can't see any way we could not consider this plot of land an asset of community value.

"Areas like this are the lungs of the neighbourhood where people can go and smell flowers and watch bees. It provides a benefit for everyone in that locality."

Members voted for to approve the listing of the site.