allotment threat

[raine]

I wrote a little while ago about my allotment being under threat but, sad to say, it's actually happened. The chigwell road allotments are part of a plan to be sold off to meet the councils budget. There are several allotments being looked at but it looks like we're favourite because the land is so valuable. this is despite the fact that the chigwell road site has a 96% take up (more than the other sites )and half of it is a flood plain!So far, the plans are on hold for a short time because there has not been sufficient consultation with locals (many knew nothing about it). A meeting was held with council officials where it was confirmed that this plot was being looked at. I don't think they expected such a turn out and at times it was quite heated. People have had plots here for years and it serves the local flats as well. we are a complete mix of people, young, old, men, women from all walks of life and different backgrounds but we all get along and it is a wonderful facility. Has anyone got any tips for successfully challenging these things? It would be very helpful
thanks- Raine

[bubblewrap]

Remind the council their requirement in law to provide allotments as long as they are "required" Selling off will only mean another "green space" lost(for ever)
I suggest you oppose the sell off and/or any planning permition,don't make it easy for them.
Best of luck Love Bubblewrap

PS also remind the local councilors who elects them. Stand someone against any councilor who votes for a "selloff"

[NOG]

They have to substitue the land if required,

[rustylady]

You need to find out whether your allotment site is "statutory"or not. If it is then there are restrictions as to what the council can do with it. I would suggest you contact the National Association of Allotment Holders, or maybe your committee has already done so. Lobby your local councillors, get active and noisy. Write to the local press. Good Luck.

[vertangie]

Yes get the press involved, write a press release, include details about the people there and make it a human story as in focus on all the good things such as what a community its built, how it decreases food miles and contributes to a better environmental policy as opposed to more house burning power and damaging the environment. Make the council look bad instead of good.

Send the press release to all your local papers and invite them to come and see the plots and take pictures.

Start an online petition to save your allotments and make sure this is in the press release then you could get people far and wide supporting you. I'm sure everyone here would support your petition. But if you can get local people to it really helps as it could threaten the councilors political careers.

So yes get writing to the press. Here's some guides on how to write a press release:

http://www.pressbox.co.uk/contpr1.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/actionnetwork/A4288944

Hope this helps

[vertangie]

More on press releases

I forgot to say that timing is everything with these things, if you've got flooding in your area don't send the press release until it quiets down news wise.

August is a great time to get press releases out as government is generally off on holiday, ie parliament's closed and things are quiet, they call this period the silly season in the news industry because a lot of the stories that get out there are silly and not important, so August could be a good time to do it.

You'll need to find out who at your local papers should receive the press release, this is probably best done by phoning them and telling them you want to send them a press release and asking who you should email it to if they accept email, most do now.

Cheers

Angie

[raine]

Thanks for all the replies. Our site is statutory so we know that we can delay things a bit but it still leaves you feeling a bit edgey. The local press have been involved and there was even mention of us in the evening standard (wednesday). A committeee has been formed and we are attending local council meetings etc.Everyone is on e-mail (as many as poss) or have been asked to team up with someone who is. It just feels very wrong that at a time when allotments are being promoted then our local council is selling! I and my OH are new to growing your own but there are people here who literally say it is their life. We are preparing to fight very hard and comments from you all help us enormously.
Thanks again
Raine