24th September 2002
A LONG-standing dispute between a golf club and a group of allotment holders is set to be resolved over the next three days at a public inquiry.
Billesley Lane Allotments in Southlands Road, Moseley, have been under threat of development by Moseley Golf Club, which owns the land.
The city council issued a Compulsory Purchase Order on the land to keep the four-acre site as allotments.
Now each side will present its views to a Government inspector to determine whether the CPO should go ahead.
Moseley Golf Club Ltd has so far submitted two planning applications to develop the land into further sports facilities.
The campaign to retain the 48 plots has attracted the support of Selly Oak MP Lynne Jones, three local councillors and 1,400 people who signed a petition.
Geoff Bainbridge, the chairman of Billesley Lane Allotment Association, said the allotments were a valuable community resource which had been there since the 1920s.
The inquiry was being held at St Agnes Church Hall, Billesley Lane.
© COPYRIGHT 2002 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd