Topic: compulsory hire

[nolandyet/nowwedo]

Hello everybody, first post, We have set up an allotment society and joined the National society but we still have no land. I asked my parish council 5 years ago to start finding land but there has been little action on their side, so I'm now wondering whether compulsory purchase or hire of land is the way forward. My question is are there any groups on here that have taken this path in the quest for land ? and may be able to advise us.
By the way, great forum, only found you yesterday.
Rich.....

[shirlton]

Although I cannot help you I think there will be a few folks on here who can. Welcome to the site

[flitwickone]

yes welcome someone will have the answer

[saddad]

The allotments acts do allow for compulsory purchase... but unless there is a World War on local authorities seem loathe to use it. Hiring off a local farmer/landowner has worked for some groups... good luck.  :)

[nolandyet/nowwedo]

Thanyou for the replies and welcomes, the fight continues.
Rich...

[rugbypost]

All councils have something tucked away, Wellcome to A4ALL hope you find somewhere soon

[Unwashed]

It's the principal local authority that has the power to compulsorily hire, and the parish council has to ask them to do it on their behalf.  I believe if they decline there is an appeal to the secretary of state, but your first task would be to convince the parish council to ask, and like saddad says, they seem extraordinarily reluctant to use their powers.  It's certainly a power that should be used much more extensively because the valuation should be as agricultural land and that works out at less than £1/pole so there's little capital cost and running costs are covered by a modest rent.