MALDON Town Council is to thrash out a new policy on use of its allotments - after a problem with some holders using the growing space to park their cars.

At a meeting of the council's environment committee yesterday (Monday, 28 September) evening, members heard that the issue meant some plots would not be suitable for growing fruit and vegetables afterwards due to potential pollution of the soil from any fuel and other liquids that could leak from the vehicles, as well as compaction.

The town council manages three allotment sites in the town and the parking problem has been happening at only one of them – Maldon Hall allotments, as at that site it is possible for cars to get directly onto the plots.

Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Peter Stilts said: "They're actually polluting the land."

Councillor Christopher Swain added: "We should restate what the allotments are for."

However, the current policy and rules do not stipulate that tenants are forbidden from parking on their allotments.

Councillor Jeanette stilts added: "One of the allotment holders said there was nothing to say they couldn't park on a growing space."

Now the town council's allotment working party will meet separately to agree a new policy that brings a halt to the misuse issue. The policy will then be ratified at a meeting of the full council.