Allotments in Warrington?

[Alison]

Hmmm, raised the issue of more allotments with WBC some time ago (before I got a plot) and the leader (you'll know who) denied that there was any legislation about provision and when it was quoted at him he simply said that it would be wrong to take money away from other things which were vital for something like allotments.

[Lavender Lady]

Hi Alison
I've noticed on the Warrington Guardian site an article that the W.B.C. are about to publish in the Guardian next week. Entitled "Gardeners to get more allotments?" three of the proposed sites are said to be in Great Sankey. What about the deprived areas ie; Orford, Longford, Bewsey and Dallam?

[Alison]

Not seen this weeks Guardian (in fact, not sure what OH has done with it!) and can't find it mentioned on the web site but that could just be me. Obviously I've not seen the article so could be getting the wrong ideas and in theory it would make most sense to spread the lotties about and I agree that it's especially important in the less affluent areas where it could easily mean the difference between eating decent veg and not rather than a lifestyle choice. However, I'm struggling to think where the available land would be round Orford etc and at least its a step in the right direction. If I ever find the paper (!) then maybe I'll be able to form a better opinion. Did they give any timescales etc?

[Lavender Lady]

No timescale mentioned in the Guardian just that Great Sankey has sixty people on the waiting list for allotments. and they are looking for land within the parish for them. They say that they need plots of land large enough to hold 40 plots . It should have safe access, car parking a secure perimeter fence and water facilities and they say this would cost at least *150.000 per allotment. We can't get them to spend any money on the Orford Park Allotment site our fencing consists of the wall of the Blackburn Arms on the east side, a wooden fence that the new housing development erected on the north side due to a lot of negotiations between the now non existent allotment association and the developers. On the west side we have trees etc planted by the allotment tenants over the years any gaps are stopped up with bits of old wood and netting. On the south side we have a promise of a fence from the Orford Park Project when they finally get going. Our water supply is out of the ark with leaks every where and we have to take our chance on parking there is no parking facility for the allotments just a spare strip of land which the bowlers say belongs to them so we have to try to park up before they get there.This can sometimes cause a lot of friction. However we do have old iron gates that they provided years ago with padlocks that you have to take your chance with. Very often the keys don't work. This has been reported to W. B. C. by numerous people but they dont give a damn.

[Alison]

£150! Good grief, mine's gone up a fair bit this year but is still only £27 (or £28) but ours are provided by the parish council who are very hands off but will try and sort things when they can. We don't have water, car parking, a perimeter fence on all sides (secure or otherwise) or any of the type of things they're talking about. To be honest, I'm happy with things they way they are where I am although security isn't great as a lot of people cut through but 99% of the folks are either going to the plots, cutting from the main road to their houses or just having a nosey. Will be interesting to see how big the plots they're aiming for are as for that price I'd want something pretty special!

[Lavender Lady]

Sorry misunderstanding should have said that it would cost the council £150,000 to build the full allotment site.

[John H]

Crikey! I had planned to put my name for an allotment, preferably Woolston area. I had noticed that the WBC website was a bit vague about waiting lists, but didn't realise it was this bad!

Does anyone have any more recent info about waiting lists in this area?

It seems that the governement is under pressure to act on shortages of plots for people wanting to grow their own food as part of a national strategy to secure food supplies.

House of Commons Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Committee

I may mention this to WBC, if anyone can propose an appropriate contact, and enough people are willing to step forward and be counted!

[c1avzz]

update about warrington

Hi

I am also in Warrington (gt sankey) and trying to get my 3 year old daughter into gardening and growing veg. My wife is not interested in this area but I think it would be a great opportunity for me to spend time with her growing veg and sunflowers etc...

I rang the council this morning and was told that the waiting list is now over 550. They mentioned about 7 plots a year are giving up - so in 78 years time I should have a plot (will be a sprightly 115 then ). They did mention that when a plot was becoming vacant they were splitting them into two halves to reduce the list (thats still 39 years!)

I mentioned about the other options and he said that the parish allotments also had lists. The council are looking into additional land - but at the minute there is not enough money to spend in this area.

I think I am going to have to look at something private but dont have a clue where to look. Anyone got any ideas???

[gilwrig]

Allotments in Warrington

I got given a 1/2 lot on Victoria Park about a year ago after a 2 year wait.

I found the council to be really helpful to be honest and the site is really well maintained. We've just had a community room built and there is a good storage facility.

I'd heard the waiting list was about 18 months .. although that's just what the othe holders are saying.

Gill

[Lynbob]

Warrington list is now 3 years and growing

I was delighted to be given a half plot in Victoria Park a few weeks ago (Jan 2011). It's been exactly 3 years since I applied and I believe there are now over 400 people waiting for one in Warrington Borough.

I'd almost given up hope, so getting the letter to say I'd got to the top of the list was like having all my Christmases and birthdays come at once. Thank you Warrington Council!

I think our problems, like most towns and cities, as that building land is taking priority over recreational land. I applaud those people in Glazebrook who have opened a new private site. If only some other land owners or owners of brown-field sites would do the same it would alleviate the waiting lists.

[Alison]

I noticed a sign this morning on Kingsway by the Mersey that said something about land for sale for allotments - didn't get the chance to read it properly though so not sure what it's about.