A GROUP campaigning for allotments in the Aberaeron area have vowed to “dig in” following a long-running dispute with the National Trust.

Aeron Vale Allotments Trust says its repeated requests to use land on the Llanerchaeron estate have been blocked by manager Paul Boland.

Chairman Gwilym ab Ioan said that, despite discussions with Trust director-general, Dame Helen Ghosh, the group had “hit a brick wall”.

He added: “We suspect that, although it must be apparent to them that our requests are genuine and reasonable, they seem reluctant to be seen as going against the decision of their local manager.

“Mr Boland, right at the outset, made his stand on the matter clear to us when he told us that, although he had nothing against allotments per say, he would not allow them in his backyard under any circumstances.

“This is about far more than advocating a healthy, outdoor lifestyle - we would also like to address the problem of elderly people who don’t have the resources to access fresh or organic vegetables.”

Mr Boland said they were “fully supportive” of the appropriate development of allotments.

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