Please sign this e-petition

[rustylady]

Can't take all the credit BB - someone posted the link on FB.

[bearded bloke]

At least you took the time to post it here RL Thank you

[mrgrower]

Thank you Rusty Lady I was only going off what was up on the Independent with the date stamp. At least this has now clarified the situation and although I may have made a bit of a fool of myself rather that than not take some action.

I can now take this link over to others to allay fears

Thank you RL once again

Mr G

[rustylady]

MrGrower, please don't think you have made a fool of yourself, you haven't.

I believe we are all concerned about the possible loss of allotment land, and I signed the petition when it was first started.

One little tip for future reference, when visiting newspaper sites (any of them) don't just look at the date on the banner headline. There is usually a reference date (in much smaller print) on or near the actual article

[mrgrower]

I also managed to pull up this information to that may support others who's allotment sites are at risk. It's a link to a PDF file and form

https://www.gov.uk/government/public...d-alternatives

Mr G

[mrgrower]

Thanks for the tip I don't tend to jump in feet first I tend to research fully but for some reason this has made me forget that. I guess when something is so close to your own heart the stabbing makes you forget to think more logically.

Mr G

[bearded bloke]

Recieved by me today ................

Dear (my name removed),

The e-petition 'Tell Eric Pickles that allotments must not be sold off!' signed by you recently reached 18,821 signatures and a response has been made to it.

As this e-petition has received more than 10 000 signatures, the relevant Government department have provided the following response: An e-petition has been suggesting that the Department for Communities and Local Government is examining plans to remove council duties to provide allotments. This is completely untrue and has no basis in fact. In 2011, the Government compiled a list of statutory duties that councils must follow, but Ministers made very clear to Parliament there were no plans to change any of the duties on allotments (House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 24 May 2011 (pt 0008)). This remains the case. Local authorities continue to have a specific responsibility for the management and provision of allotments in their area, ensuring those who want to start an allotment can do so. There are no plans to change this, and the e-petition’s claims are simply false. In January 2014, the Department published Allotment Disposal Guidance: Safeguards and alternatives (https://www.gov.uk/government/public...d-alternatives), replacing the previous guidance from 2002. The new guidance strengthens allotment protection, as the requirement for waiting lists to be taken into account must now be rigorously applied to all that council’s waiting lists, not just the waiting list for the site to be disposed of. This aims to ensure that poorly maintained sites are not used to justify disposal. The Government has introduced a range of measures to help communities who want land to grow fruit and vegetables. Through new community rights, local residents have increased opportunities to protect existing allotments from development and increase provision of green spaces. For example, in Thame, in Oxfordshire, their new neighbourhood plan will create an additional hectare of allotment land. Allotments have also been listed as assets of community value. As part of our commitment to supporting local community groups, the Department has also published a best practice guide for community groups wanting to find land to grow fruit and vegetables (https://www.gov.uk/government/public...rowing-a-guide) and an additional guide on establishing community orchards and other spaces for food growing (https://www.gov.uk/government/public...a-how-to-guide). This e-petition remains open to signatures and will be considered for debate by the Backbench Business Committee should it pass the 100 000 signature threshold.

View the response to the e-petition

Thanks,

HM Government e-petitions HM Government e-petitions

[mrgrower]

Hi BB I received something similar about two weeks ago a follow up email asking for clarificataion of what safegaurds are in place to stop councils from increasing allotment rents beyond the affordability of lower paid people has yet not recieved a responce as I think that this is something they are aware of and will not tackle unless more people address the issue directly with them.

Mr G

[alldigging]

Go self managed.

LOL.
I think it was May 2009 that the self-management process for our council's allotments was started. Their 25 year leases run from them.
Still not signed.

[Starbug24]

Stop Eric Pickles from removing the laws concerning Allotments!

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitio...ime=1398984255

[veggiechicken]

Starbug, I've merged your thread with this one as it deals with the same issues.