House of Commons debate - Allotments

[Steve(spt)]

Just in case any one missed this..

House of Commons debates
Tuesday, 19 February Bill Presented Allotments (Planning)

[Matt.]

Well I missed it.

Good to see an attempt to provide for a growing community.

Seriously though glad this is being recognised. Waiting lists of years are unfair and ridiculous. Sometimes it does feel that allotmenting will soon be the preserve of a select group with new folk having little or no hope of joining in.

[Headfry]

I think it is good news and wish him luck!

[SarzWix]

Saw that, and sent a letter to my MP about it. Unfortunately, I don't think he bothered to say anything...

[Farmer_Gyles]

thats an interesting article etc
i'm on a waiting list locally - council said "waiting time of 3 years upwards is the norm"
there is a plot of land locally that's technically green belt but privately owned and the owners are selling plots of land as "potential property investments" even though it can't be built on
the local residents association is fighting to stop the property company
now if there is a 3 year waiting list, and land available, and councils have this "duty" to provide land for allotments, maybe the residents association can persuade the council to purchase the land for allotments ......
i'll pass some info on to the residents association and see what happens ......

[Protea]

I'm glad its being brought to the attention of the government. There is a massive amount of new housing being built in Bedfordshire, in fact, 3/4 new 'mini-towns' are being built just off the A6, with more development near to Bedford/Kempston. I would really like to see several allotments included in these huge developments, but alas i suspect there aren't any.

[Flummery]

Gardens are so samll in new housing developments too. We are lucky in that ours is about 40 years old and the gardens at the back just stretched down to the paddock at the end - because there was no possibility of getting more houses in. These days they'd have built them end on and two deep! People should have a reasonable amount of land to grow food on. I know we aren't in a wartime situation where we depend upon this food but it is increasingly a lifestyle choice that people want to make but don't have the land of their own. The rented allotment is ideal. I hope something comes of it.

[Paul Wagland]

That's brilliant news - thanks for pointing it out Steve. I'm going to email Tony Baldry now!

[bubblewrap]

Cheers Steve posted on a local forum I'm a member of (few lottie owners on it too)

[NOG]

[QUOTE=Farmer_Gyles;184884] owners are selling plots of land as "potential property investments" QUOTE]

Woulnd it be fun to buy one of the plots right in the middle then publicly say that you would oppose any planning applications...you would have to be informed of any applications as you were a neighbour.

[Tigerella]

Hi

Up here in Leeds, there is no shortage of allotments where I live.
Is this a big problem?

Is it just further south?

T

[JanieB]

Our town has a piece of land that we need to use. Technically it is designated as "Public Open Space". We have a long waiting list for our allotments and as a Town (Parish) Council, we want to use it for more allotments. We have had theoretical permission from our District Council who own it, with the proviso that we gain permission from the Highways Agency for the pathway to it to be widened for vehicle access ('Elf 'n Safety).

This path was once the main road out of town but has narrowed over the last 200 or so years 'til it's only pedestrian or cycles.

Not only do the new developments have very small gardens but the gardens of older houses are being sold off for development too.

To be honest, I'll be quite jealous of anyone who gets an allotment there. The ground is on the other side of town from mine and the soil is a lovely friable loam on a sandy subsoil. Mine is heavy clay on top of clay.

[Percy T]

hi there

noted post from farmer giles in purley, just to let you know there are some vacant plots in New Addington. But the council do claim they have a waiting list but they are still not allocated out yet.

[Farmer_Gyles]

cheers percy - i know addo is only 15 mins away (if i avoid rush hours etc) but rather be closer to home - and no offence i just wouldn't enjoy having an allotment up there - i'd be constantly worried about having my car or tools nicked
i'm on the lists for pampisford road and sanderstead - don't want to go further from home than that cos of kids at school etc - could go to south croydon at a push but rather not - my long term plan means i kinda need to be fairly close to home