ACCESSIBLE allotment beds could be created on the town council’s Wellington Basins site, which has more than 100 plots.

The mayor, Cllr Janet Lloyd, who chairs the council’s allotments advisory board, said the ‘community plot’ would serve people with mobility issues, offering them 12 raised beds close the site entrance.

Cllr Lloyd said: “Allotment gardening is a very rewarding pastime and contributes greatly to the quality of peoples lives both mentally and physically.

“We have found over recent years that a number of tenants have had to give up their plots because their health and mobility had deteriorated.

“Even smaller plots became difficult to maintain.

“The plot will have raised beds at different levels with access from at least three sides.

“The beds will be open to the elderly and people with mobility issues.

“Water will be collected in to water butts and set at a level where containers can be filled safely.

“We would like to provide an area where we can site two benches to enable tenants to rest and enjoy a drink, a bite to eat, and a chat with fellow tenants.”

Cllr Lloyd said a shed would will be shared by all the tenants, and the council would provide compost bins and water butts.

The £7,500 cost of the project could be met by using ‘section 106’ money for local facilities given as part of legal agreements when housing developers receive planning permission.

Cllr Lloyd said the council would also look for financial support from local businesses to help with the cost of buying materials or items for the accessible plot.

Councillors also agreed to allow two polytunnels and a greenhouse to be placed on the plot and approved work to scrape back the soil along the length of the upper allotment track to create a level surface.