Ah yes Northumberland Estates (Duke's land management arm) cleared a long standing area of allotments in the centre of small town up road with the intention of building on it. Surface springs and a history of sudden small fires bursting out of the mines near the surface of the area didn't deter the plans. It's still a derelict area just off the town main street. Some 16 or 17 years later.
Northumberland Estates did find other local land for the majority of the displaced allotment tenants. The fact that it was out of town, solid clay and flooded regularly was beside the point. One large load of pig manure was donated. Some 16 or 17 years later this new site has improved.
Local town council pays a large annual rent for 42 large allotments just off same town centre to Northumberland Estates. This is is on a steep slope and has water problems at the bottom. But as there is no access to this site, there seems to be no chance of it being built on.
So coldandwindy, I'm not surprised at your headline. At all.
