VANDALISM and anti-social behaviour has forced green-fingered allotment owners in Halesowen to take action to keep their site safe.

The Highfield Park Allotment Association has now installed new fencing – thanks to grants from the Belle Vale and Hayley Green and Cradley South Community Forum – at their Highfield Lane base.

Since 2015, the association have been provided with Dudley Council funding for fencing, with the latest grant, approved by local councillors last September, allowing the group to complete work to fully protect the site.

Belle Vale councillor and vice-chair of the community forum Simon Phipps recently visited the allotments to see the newly-installed fence and hear about the association's plans for the year ahead.

Cllr Phipps said: “I'm delighted to see the positive outcome that the forum funding has facilitated especially after hearing of the problems that they were facing before it was completed.

“This is the latest in a long line of projects that the community forums has supported locally and I’d encourage all community groups to consider applying for funding by getting in touch with Dudley Council.”

Halesowen News:

The new allotment fencing.

David Adams, chairman of the Highfield Park Allotment Association, added: “Without the funding from the community forum we would have found it very difficult to raise the money required for the fence.

“Thank you to all of the councillors who approved the grant and I look forward to welcoming them and members of the public to the allotments when we have our open days later in the year.”

Anybody interested in joining the list to become an allotment holder at Highfield Park can email David at d.adams539@btinternet.com.

While other community groups looking for funding for their projects can apply to their local community forum for a grant by calling 0300 555 2345.