Allotments under threat

Daemienne Sheehan from The Oldie Magazine is researching an article on the threat to allotments by new housing. While the current definition of what constitutes a brownfield site still appears to offer some protection to allotment holders, a looser proviso that all allotments be ‘kept up to standard’ could mean that some allotments face the danger of being designated as derelict and therefore remain open to being taken back by councils AND - property developers. She wants to know if this is the case and whether if it could become a likely scenario – she’s on a deadline, so if you have knowledge or ideas, bung them in asap and I’ll pass them on.

On the same theme, Ilford South MP Mike Gapes has tabled (well more like slammed on the table , to look at the wording) the following motion in the House of Commons:

This House notes that Conservative controlled Redbridge Council has drawn up secret plans to sell off a large number of local land sites, including popular allotments and car parks in a desperate effort to raise up to £150 million; further notes that many of these sites are in Ilford South the most overcrowded and poorest part of the Borough, including allotments in Goodmayes Park extension and Vicarage Lane South; congratulates all those involved in the campaign by local residents again the secret Tory plans and welcomes the letter to the Member for Ilford South on 23rd March 2007 from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Communities and Local Government, Baroness Andrews, which confirms that “where a statutory allotment is disposed of; the 1908 Allotment Act requires that any proceeds must be used for the purposes of allotments, and only surplus may be used for other purposes”; that Planning Policy Guidance 17 “provides protection of urban green spaces” and draws the attention of Redbridge Conservative Councillors to the statement of the Minister that “open spaces which local communities need should not be built on”.

The council approved the proposals early in August, hoping to raise about £25m for capital projects not related to allotments, which is why Mr Gapes has tabled his motion. In all, nearly 500 individual plots will be affected by the decision but the council insisted many could be saved through relocation to alternative sites within the borough and the sale in any case requires the approval of the Secretary of State for the Environment. If you’re internet-savvy, you can use the online comment form -here - to share your opinions on this issue with Redbridge Council!

Labels: allotment-eviction, allotment-relocation, Redbridge-allotments

Allotments in the News

Win some …

Allotment holders who are being forced to make way for the Olympic Park in East London have reached an agreement that allows them to harvest this year's crops before being evicted. Plot-holders at Manor Garden Allotments had asked the High Court for a judicial review to stop the London Development Agency (LDA) evicting them. But in a last minute move, the LDA has agreed access should continue to some plots until September when the plot-holders will move to a temporary site in Waltham Forest, although they can return to Hackney Wick when the Games are over. The LDA said it would be taking ownership of the Hackney Wick site on 2 July but it conceded that a limited number of allotment holders would be allowed supervised access for two days a week until September. A spokesman said, ‘We have also arranged compensation and support packages for allotment holders - and after the Games we will be providing a larger allotment site on a landscaped Olympic Park.’

Lose some …

Hampshire allotment gardeners are considering their next move after being dealt a major blow by the High Court in their fight to save their town centre plots. Mr Justice Calvert Smith blocked their route to judicial review although they have seven days to appeal. Eastleigh council can now press ahead with its plans to build 140 affordable homes on allotment land at South Street and Monks Way.

The council says it has a waiting list of more than 5,000 families queuing up to get a permanent roof over their heads and claims, ‘the disposal of the sites is necessary in order that an early start can be made on the construction of new housing which is urgently required to help reduce the enormous current demand for housing in the borough.’

Labels: allotment-building, allotment-eviction, allotment-relocation, olympics