Swaffham allotment holder David Ward has bid to cull muntjacs turned down by town council
An angry allotment owner has lost his bid to see deer culled after filing an official complaint with his town council.
David Ward, 81, has said he is no longer willing to pay £45 per year to use his allotment in Swaffham as crops have come under siege from pesky muntjac deer and rats.
He asked Swaffham Town Council to address the issue, suggesting that they cull the deer, but has seen his efforts dismissed.
Although his own vegetables have not been damaged, he fears they will be the next victims.
The deer have been destroying produce including broad beans, runner beans, tomatoes and leeks.
He said: “It’s a real shame, it’s just not worth doing this anymore. So many people have complained to me about it.
“We pay a lot of money to use the allotments and I’m so fed up with it.”
Mr Ward has had his patch near Shouldham Lane for nearly a decade, but is now considering giving it up over his muntjac woes. He has covered up all of his vegetables to protect them from pests.
A Swaffham Town Council said spokesperson: “We received one complaint from an allotment holder regarding muntjac deer. Their suggestion was to cull the deer.
“Councillors unanimously agreed not to consider this option. While we do sympathise with allotment holders when their crops are destroyed, with the allotment site being in such a rural area, the presence of wildlife and vermin is unfortunately inevitable.”
Mr Ward has covered his crops to protect them from roaming muntjac, which he says has been successful in keeping them at bay so far.
Dick Hewitt, who also uses the Swaffham allotment, has used wire to raise the height of his fencing.
“The council aren’t going to do anything about this,” Mr Ward added. “I’m probably going to give it up.”