WHILE Bandon Community Allotments has been given a reprieve to remain at their current site until the end of next year, local councillors have said there is now an urgent need to find a permanent home for the group, which comprises 50 tenants.

At this week’s meeting of Bandon Kinsale Municipal District, municipal district officer Brian Dunne announced the news that the lease will now be extended for the Bandon Community Allotments.

They have been leasing the land at their current site at Cloughmacsimon from the Housing Agency for the past 15 years and the group were previously requested to vacate the premises to facilitate site investigations in advance of the potential construction of a new housing development.

‘Following an on-site meeting with the group, Cork County Council reviewed the project programme and has confirmed that the lease may be extended until the end of December 2027,’ he said.

‘This position has been conveyed to the Housing Agency who will liaise with the group directly. The revised timeline is fixed and it is not anticipated that any further extensions will be granted.’

Cllr Gillian Coughlan (FF) welcomed the extension on the lease for the group but added that as a municipal district they should keep the group in mind post December 2027.

‘We are very grateful to the Housing Association for this extension and securing a permanent home for Bandon Community Allotments is something we should factor in when are zoning land down the road,’ said Cllr Coughlan.

Cllr Ann Bambury (SD) who previously raised the group’s plight, said it’s good that to have this extension written down on paper and thanked Mr Dunne for engaging with the group.

‘We need that social infrastructure in the town which is essential as it’s growing significantly and having an allotment next to the new school campus earmarked for the town would be great. Being located close to town is also important for the group’ said Cllr Bambury.

She previously said that allotments support people of all ages and backgrounds and promotes physical activity, mental wellbeing and environmental awareness, while also fostering a strong sense of community, pride and inclusion.’