Worried allotment holders made a plea on Tuesday night for councillors to save their beloved plots and gardening community from development.
Councillors admitted to feeling embarrassed the press and public had to leave the council chamber in Dorking before the plans and matters of ‘commercial sensitivity’ were discussed for the first time.
Councillor Charles Yarwood, portfolio holder for property, said: "I doubt there’s any councillor in this chamber tonight who does not regret, and even feel embarrassed, that we cannot have the debate on this matter in open session, on camera and in front of people who had the goodness to turn up this evening.
“I certainly feel embarrassed about it, but there’s not much we can do about it because of the strictures of the procurement process and the matters of commercial sensitivity.”
Mole Valley Council officers and Oxford’s Merton College have selected a preferred bidder to develop the 32-acre site next to the Leatherhead Bypass, comprised of Barnett Wood Lane Allotments and greenbelt land.
The council’s executive will make the final decision on Tuesday July 30 and it will be announced in mid-August.
Linda Weller, who organised a petition signed by more than 2,750 people in a bid to save the allotments, told the council that the proposed relocation site is isolated, inaccessible and right by the motorway with clay soil and noise and air pollution.
Mrs Weller said: "Please consider very carefully the strength of feeling of Mole Valley residents against this proposal.
"Should you agree to it you will destroy Barnett Wood Lane Allotments together with one of North Leatherhead’s natural assets, the greenbelt.
"Any greenbelt is precious but even more so around North Leatherhead where it is so limited. Once gone it is lost for ever."
Coun Yarwood, portfolio holder for property, thanked the allotment holders for bringing their petition and said their views had been taken on board.
If plans go ahead, he said: “The council remains absolutely committed to working with allotment holders and the newly formed allotment society to do our very best minimise any negative impact and provide the very best alternative that we possibly can.”
Outside the council chamber afterwards, Mrs Weller said: “It would have been nice to be able to hear their debate and their arguments in favour because to be honest we are absolutely convinced this is money-orientated.
"We don’t believe there is anything else in it.”
Joy Playford, 88, who has had an allotment for 26 years, said: “I should think he feels embarrassed. I think we should have been allowed to stay.”
Earlier in the public gallery she said: “I came here to support everybody and to listen to what they have to say. We are all so cross about it.”
Mike Herrity said a sign at the allotments saying ‘a little bit of heaven’ summed up the place and described allotment holders as a 'jolly bunch'.
He said: “It seems a fait accompli. You could see us in the public gallery but we can’t be heard.”
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