ALLOTMENT holders who have battled hard to keep their plots in Barton seem likely to be reminded the ball is back in their court at a meeting this evening.

The long-running wrangle which has split the community seemed over in February when a planning inspector ruled that there was not enough interest to justify the compulsory purchase of the land, leased to the parish council since 1917.

Local government regulations would have meant Richmondshire District Council would have imposed the compulsory purchase if the inspector's decision had gone the other way.

However, members of the authority's resources committee will be told this evening that Barton Parish Council may now have to resume the hunt for another site for the allotments or negotiate with the landowner over the chances of keeping at least some of the plots on the present site.

The village administration could also have a second attempt at a compulsory purchase or request a judicial review of the inspector's decision.

Barton residents are already paying an average of £50 extra in council tax this year to meet the parish authority's £15,000 legal bill on the matter.

The administration is yet to rule out more action on the matter, confirming last month it was considering calling on the National Association of Allotment Gardeners for assistance.