BRADFORD Council has apologised after a ‘clerical error’ resulted in eviction notices being issued to a number of allotment holders.

A letter from Bradford Council, dated a month ago, was receieved by some allotment holders telling them their tenancy had been ended due to not meeting the requirements.

The council has now revealed it was a clerical error and has apologised if this affected anyone. Letters will be issued to allotment owners, explaining the error.

One worried owner, who has a plot in the Bullroyd allotments on Allerton Road, received the letter on August 4, 2022, 30 days after the letter had been dated.

She said that meant the letter was only received on the day when the council could officially end the tenancy, giving her no chance to respond.

Carla, a nurse who did not wish to give her surname, said she was extremely distressed.

She said: “This is the place I go to de-stress, and I don’t want to lose it.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Carla with her letter from the councilCarla with her letter from the council

“When I got the letter, I was really upset and panicked.

“I got the letter by chance when I made a brief stop at home and took the letter with me back to work.

“I called my husband and told him what it said, and we were both unsure of what to do because we had put a lot of work into it.

“I didn’t want to lose my plot; I was really stressed because I wouldn’t have anything to do otherwise.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: One of her beds in the allotments One of her beds in the allotments

“I’m so glad that this was a mistake and I get to keep my plot.”

Carla is growing an array of different vegetables including pumpkins, lettuce, tomatoes and strawberries.

The grounds to end the tenancy stated it was due to a ‘lack of cultivation’, based on an inspection that took place on April 25, 2022.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Some of the vegetables in her patchSome of the vegetables in her patch

The letter said: “As you have failed to comply with provision 4 of your tenancy agreement, the council gives you Notice to Quit the allotment garden, one month from the date of this letter.

“I, therefore, confirm that the tenancy for the above allotment has been ended.”

When Carla found out it was a mistake she was overjoyed. 

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: “These letters were sent out by mistake due to a clerical error.

“We are really sorry if this has affected anyone.  

“We will be writing to all the allotment owners to apologise and correct the mistake.”

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