An allotment scheme in Hook has received a cash boost to help it get off the ground.
The Hook Allotments Association (HAA) was given £10,000 from Hook Parish Council on December 1.
The cash will go towards building rabbit and deer proof fencing around the site, churning the soil and adding piping for water taps.
HAA spokesperson Sue Hinton said: “It was a fantastic amount of money to get from the parish council.
“It will really help get the program off the ground and get the ball rolling to turn the site into proper allotments for residents.”
Last month the HAA secured 5.5 acres of land to the north of the village along Reading Road for 120 full size plots.
The new allotment site will help ease the waiting list of 140 people in the village, and residents have snapped up most of the plots.
Ms Hinton said: “At the moment we are 98 per cent full. There are huge waiting lists all over Basingstoke and Deane and Hart.
“Residents in Hook and Rotherwick get priority with first refusal, anything left will go to residents across Hart and Basingstoke.”
At the end of November, plots were opened up to residents in a meeting at Elizabeth Hall.
Ms Hinton said: “We had a really enthusiastic turnout and it was a great meeting. There was a lot of community spirit and enthusiasm about the allotments.
“I heard some fantastic feedback from residents who were all buzzing about securing the land.”
Each patch is rented for a year, large plots cost £155 and the mini plots cost £35.
The combination of rents and grants will help pay off the £50,000 needed to buy the land and the £30,000 it cost to convert it.
In addition to the parish council grant, HAA has received £500 from Hampshire County Council and will find out in the new year if their £10,000 grant application from the Lottery is successful.
HAA Chairman, Pete Comley, said: “It we do not get the Lottery grant then life is going to be a bit more difficult and we will have to cut back a bit.
“But in terms of cash we have enough to survive and the allotments will be opening in Hook.”
The association said they plan to start work before Christmas, ready for a April opening.
