RESIDENTS have expressed their disappointment after funding to start work on a new allotments space in Sabden has not been sent for more than two years.

The Sabden Allotment Association was told by Ribble Valley Borough Council that it would receive £5,000 to prepare a site in the village.

However, the group is no closer to its goal after not being told when, or if, it will be given the money.

Michael Calvert, secretary of the group, said: “It’s more than a shame that we have not made much progress towards creating a new allotment in the village over the past two years.

“The problem is that lines must have been crossed somewhere, and we thought the council were supposed to do something, and they probably thought that we were meant to be acting.

“I’m worried that the money will now have disappeared after nothing being done with it for so long.

“There just seems to be no land in Sabden that is free for allotments these days, with so much of the land earmarked for new houses.

“We formed this group in order to help organise this project, but we have not met since because there has been nothing to do.”

Sabden resident Hilary Crouch said: “It’s a shame that the project never really got off the ground because it would have been nice to have another allotment in the village.

“I hope something can be done in the near future.”

A site had been identified for the allotment on private land at the top of Watt Street, but the plans fell through.

The group is now looking for another suitable location.

Ribble Valley Borough Council leader Stuart Hirst said: “If the group would like to get in contact with me, then I would be happy to talk to them about the project.

“In principle, I would be very supportive of it because it’s a great community project that would benefit Sabden.

“I am willing to talk to them more if they contact me at their earliest possible convenience.”