Gardeners in a West Devon village have got the go ahead to take over council land to help save the planet — and they got a year’s free rent for doing it.

The Milton Abbot Allotment Association has asked West Devon Borough Council to consider a long lease of 25 years for an area of underused land which was originally earmarked for housing purposes.

But a change in housing laws has allowed councillors to turn over the land to the allotments association - and let them use it free of charge.

Members of the counci’s hub committee were told the current status of the land was not clear, so authority was sought to formally designate the land as statutory allotments.

Officers were looking to agree a new lease with the association for the land, between Fore Street and Higher Edgcumbe Lane, for at least 15 years.

Under a covenant imposed by previous owner the Duke of Bedford in 1952, the area is currently designated as housing land.

But councillors were told changes in the housing laws since then allowed the borough to get rid of the site for what they could get for it.

A report to the committee by assets officer Rob Sekula, who specialises in natural resources and green infrastructure, said the land is thought to have been previously used for allotments, with one allotment plot having been retained and tended by a neighbouring resident. Other than this one plot, the land has not been actively managed for a decade and is covered in brambles.

He said the Milton Abbot Allotment Association had approached the council to seek to make better use of this underused land.

They have proposed re-establishment of the entirety of the site for allotments, anticipating that the site may offer six large and two small plots, as well as accommodating a communal poly tunnel and 12 small raised beds for those with less time, energy or ability.

Mr Sekula said: ‘The Allotment Association have tested local appetite and consider there is need and demand for this use.

‘They highlight the benefits of allotments to the community and natural environment, including mental and physical health and wellbeing, reduced food miles, community cohesion, and habitat for wildlife.’

Mr Sekula said that would be in accord with some of the council’s long-term aims and added: ‘The long lease would give the allotment association the means to unlock external funding sources to meet the relatively modest start-up costs to prepare the site, and to give them the freedom and confidence to manage the site effectively and appropriately for their community.’

He said the council had placed a notice in the local press in mid-December advertising the intention to dispose of an interest by way of a 25-year lease of the parcel of land for use as allotments, with a 21 day period for submission of representations. No representations were received.

He added: ‘In recognition of the lack of existing cost to the council incurred by the land for example lack of annual management, and the community benefit the proposal will bring, it is proposed to waive any rent for the first year, with an annual rent of £100 thereafter.’