THERE may be another twist in a long-running and bitter dispute over the future of a group of allotments - despite the parish council's defeat at a public inquiry.

Barton Parish Council was hoping the Government would force landowner Edward Hall to sell it the land, securing the future of the allotments.

However, earlier this month, Susan Holland of the Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber ruled there was not enough demand for allotments to support the move.

Her decision left the parish council with a £15,000 legal bill, which must now be shared among Barton's 370 households - raising council tax bills by an average of £50 for the next financial year.

An emergency meeting of the village authority has since voted not to take the matter to appeal. The majority were concerned about the risk of driving the parish council's costs even higher.

However, spokesman Councillor Alen McFadzean has confirmed that talks with the National Association of Allotment Gardeners may have presented the village administration with options which do not involve spending any more money.

"I cannot say much at this stage as some parish councillors have not been made aware of the possibilities and we have not yet met to discuss them. However, I hope we can arrange a meeting in the next few days and take matters from there regarding going to appeal,'' said Coun McFadzean, who works at The Northern Echo.

The dispute began in 1999 when former members of the parish council decided there was too little interest in the allotments to make them viable.

They notified Mr Hall that the administration would be terminating the lease of the land, but a number subsequently resigned in the backlash led by the gardeners, some of whom were later elected to the vacant posts.

But by then, Mr Hall was already looking at alternative uses for the land and a question mark has remained over its future ever since.

Barton ward member on Richmondshire District Council, Campbell Dawson, was chairman of the parish council when it decided to terminate the lease on the allotments - and has remained certain that the council made the right decision.

He said: "I have tabled a motion for the district council's resources committee which I hope will consider helping in some way, but some people have told me they have no intention of paying.