Topic: Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908

[Georgie]

Hello.  Does anyone know whether it is the case that if 6 people show an interest in having an allotment then the above act requires the local authority to provide a site?  Sounds a bit too good to be true to me but I thought someone here might know. 

G x

[Larkspur]

That is certainly my understanding of the Act, though how the h*ll you would force a reluctant Local Authority to do so I have no idea. ::)

[Svea]

check that the relevant sections have not been repealed! with acts this old it's perfectly possible that this has happened.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts2004/40014--d.htm

trying to find the latest version of this act.

maybe here?
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199798/cmselect/cmenvtra/560/56016.htm

[supersprout]

Yes, it's still law. However, there's no time limit on the time the local authority might take to identify and/or lease a suitable site, and there may be some exemptions for some urban areas. My chum in Downham Market is trying to get the local authority to think ahead of the game in the light of the huge number of new houses being built in the town, where there are NO allotments. It's something that local authorities keep very quiet about, for obvious reasons.

[Georgie]

Thanks everyone.  There is a huge recreation ground at the end of my road which gets very little use.  There would still be plenty of space left over for children to play and people to walk their dogs so I might just look into it.

G x