THE result of a referendum in a battle over a village's allotments will be announced today, although the ballot has been criticised by parish councillors.

Richmondshire district Councillor Campbell Dawson organised the vote to settle a row, which has split the community of Barton, near Darlington.

The vote, independently organised by Coun Dawson, has been condemned as "undemocratic and unofficial" by parish council chairwoman Anne McFadzean.

Ballot forms have been sent to every home in the village, telling residents that the parish administration has requested compulsory purchase of the allotments site because the landowner has refused to sign a new lease.

Coun Dawson said the bill would be £20,000, adding £3 a year to council tax bills in the village for the next 20 years.

Coun Dawson resigned from the parish council earlier this year, after allotment tenants threatened legal action when he served notice on them to quit their plots.

Yesterday, Coun McFadzean questioned the value Coun Dawson has put on the land.

She said: "We've had the land assessed by a firm of valuers, and the market value is less than half that quoted by Councillor Dawson.

"We are concerned that villagers are under the impression the ballot papers have been distributed by the district council in collaboration with the parish council. This is not so."

Coun Dawson said: "What I am doing is gathering information so, when the district council decides if it will support a compulsory purchase order, it will be able to make an informed decision.