The decades from the 1950 to 2000 were years of decline for the allotments.  In the 1970s, the plots on the west side of Northfield avenue were taken by Ealing council for housing. Although many plot holders kept good condition plots, a large amount were poorly kept or unrented. The waiting list during the 1980s and 1990s was non-existent, some long-standing plot holders today, still recall being able to get a plot on the same day as requesting one, some rented more than one full plot to help increase plot usage.

At Northfield allotments there was no mains water until 1990 and by then there were around 15 wells that had been dug by plot holders to get water from the ground. Plot holders used old water tank and baths to store rain water. Growing vegetables without water during the summer months leads to a poor harvest.

The images below left show the allotments in 1996 with long grass of unrented or unworked plots. The image below right is a compulsory purchase order map. The plots numbered 1-145 were lost to development. Image courtesy of Ealing council.