AN ALLOTMENTS group in Aberaeron is threatening to report the town council to the Ombudsman after members rejected their request to secure allotment land.

The simmering row between councillors and members of the Aeron Vale Allotments Trust boiled over after the authority decided that existing allotment land was sufficient to meet current demand.

Town councillors had previously agreed to contact signatories of the trust’s petition to clarify their position amid claims by the trust that confidential information was leaked to a local landowner.

The council denied the information was confidential and received backing from the Society of Local Council Clerks.

But in a new twist, the trust has now expressed “total dissatisfaction with the way the town council has handled this matter from the outset” after submitting a 25-name petition asking for land back in May.

In a strongly-worded letter, trust chairman Gwilym ab Ioan said: “It is our contention that the whole matter has been the subject of filibustering, especially given the time that has elapsed and the manner in which our proposal has been dealt with.

“It appears to us, that the council (or at least certain members of the council) has not taken the matter very seriously, and has instead put great effort into undermining, ridiculing or scuppering our project at every opportunity.”

See this week's South Ceredigion edition for the full story, in shops and online now