Author Topic: email campaign to save our lotties (Read 19576 times)

fat larry · « **Reply #20 on:** April 21, 2005, 16:29:53 »

another good idea, but I think we are mostly appealing to their better natures, rather than any particularly firm legal grounding. however they might be helpful if they can dig up some legal stuff, squatters' rights maybe?

Anne Robertson · « **Reply #21 on:** April 21, 2005, 16:38:43 »

I have also sent an e-mail Larry.
Good luck

waggi · « **Reply #22 on:** April 21, 2005, 17:57:31 »

i have checked my emails again to day and not a sausage :'(

kitty · « **Reply #23 on:** April 21, 2005, 21:17:07 »

fat lal-i sent this-(i am no writer!) ....
.dear sir,
i would ask that you save the skimmingdish lane allotment site from the developers-the church is supposed to look after the welfare of its community and gardening,to some people-especially allotmenteers ,is vital to their well being as well as enriching the locality and cheering downhearted souls.
allotments are healthier for people than housing estates.....
please do not sell this land to housing developers,
thank you
etc etc....

more posters and more newspaper noise!
telly-especially local telly is always interested in a fight too!
power to the people!
kitty ;D

gavin · « **Reply #24 on:** April 21, 2005, 22:33:01 »

Hi fat larry - would this planning stuff help? http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_planning/documents/page/odpm_plan_606902.hcsp

All best - Gavin

PS I've sent my e-mail too :)

fat larry · « **Reply #25 on:** April 27, 2005, 11:33:55 »

RESPONSE FROM THE BISHOP: Not very helpful!!
27 April 2005

Thank you for your recent email about the possible development of land adjacent to Skimmingdish Lane, Bicester. This land belongs to the Diocese of Oxford as part of its 'Glebe'. In the past it was let to allotment holders, but since April 2000 there have been no allotment holders, except for one allotment which was let between May 2002 and September 2004. We understand that there may currently be people who are using this land without permission or rent: they are effectively 'squatting'.

Cherwell District Council previously considered this land suitable for employment use with the adopted land plan and therefore the Board have decided formally to explore this designation.

+Richard OXON

Moggle · « **Reply #26 on:** April 27, 2005, 11:38:20 »

Yep, I got exactly the same thing! How disappointing! >:( >:(

Lazybones · « **Reply #27 on:** April 27, 2005, 11:42:06 »

I'm really sorry about that :'( However, if anyone has got any other avenues to explore it's this bunch that will think of them.

westsussexlottie · « **Reply #28 on:** April 27, 2005, 11:54:34 »

I got the same email. >:(

Have you checked out that there are no rare species on the lottie?
All you need are some rare orchids or a great crested newt and it would slow the developers down no end.

Can't you get a large environmental group interested????

wivvles · « **Reply #29 on:** April 27, 2005, 12:35:01 »

My response, for what it is worth:

"Your Grace

Thank you for your response in connection with the allotments at Skimmingdish Lane, Bicester. I note the comments that you have made, but there are a number of matters arising from this which I would like to raise.

Firstly, the fact that there have been no allotment holders since April 2000. Forgive my scepticism, but surely if the Diocese is employing Carter Jonas as land agents (at a not insignificant cost), shouldn’t they be advertising the availability of the allotments in an attempt to find tenants? A more cynical man than I might suggest that they did not want to do so because they wanted to either sell off the land or develop it for profit. A far more cynical man than I might suggest that the Diocese had instructed them to do so, although I am sure that you will be able to confirm that this is not the case.

Secondly, the question of the “squatters”. I understand that these individuals attempted to find out who owned and managed the site. They were advised "by the sole tenant" that “no-one ever bothered to collect rents, but if someone official came around and asked, that would be alright”. Once again, I would question Carter Jonas’ role in this. Would you agree that it appears they have been somewhat lackadaisical, if not negligent, in how they have managed the Diocese’s land? I also understand that the “squatters”, once they had been able to ascertain the identity of the land agents, have attempted to pay rents but these have been refused.

I note that you state that “Cherwell District Council previously considered this land suitable for employment use with the adopted land plan and therefore the Board have decided formally to explore this designation.” It appears to me that such investigation would take some months, unless you are able to advise me that matters are very much advanced. If my assumption is correct, is there any harm in drawing up short term tenancy agreements with these individuals whilst the matter is explored? Indeed, if sufficient interest in using the land for it’s currently designated purpose, ie allotments, can be shown, would you agree with me that this would be a much better use for the land - although significantly less financially profitable?

Christ regularly used the metaphor of agriculture in His teachings, whilst rejecting materialism. Surely it would be the Christian thing in this instance to follow His example and adopt the less financially profitable yet more spiritually profitable option?

Yours sincerely"

caz 406 · « **Reply #30 on:** April 27, 2005, 13:32:33 »

I had the same reply too. Just let us know if there is anything else we can do.

What about people coming from all over the UK to protest one weekend? Get the media involved etc. There's a great national representation of allotment holders on this site.... I'm up for it...
Caz

Moggle · « **Reply #31 on:** April 27, 2005, 13:46:22 »

By no means as well worded as wivvles reply (marvellous!) but here was my effort:

'Thank you for your response in connection with the allotments at
Skimmingdish Lane, Bicester.

In response to the 'squatters' you mention, I would like to add that
it is my understanding that these 'squatters' would be willing pay
rent, and indeed have attempted to pay rent to the land managers, but
this has been refused.

I am disappointed that the church seems to be taking a path of
commercialism rather than making an effort to keep these allotments,
which would allow the users to greatly benefit theirselves and their
families by allowing them more exercise, to eat fresh chemical free
food, and educate their children about healthy food and nature.'

I'd be there for a protest :) (not very far for me to drive :) )

fat larry · « **Reply #32 on:** April 27, 2005, 13:52:17 »

THANKS folks! Very impressive. I'd love a demo there, we'll have to look into that. My neighbour the policeman has already said he's up for it (!!!) and bob, the retired policeman who is a fellow squatter would I'm sure be happy too! I've replied to the bish too, again not as eloquent – or as hard hitting – as others, but here's what I wrote:

Dear Richard

As yet no planning application has been made to Cherwell District Council, and I would like to know if it would be possible to continue cultivating there until such a decision is made and development is imminent.

I don't see that our presence there harms anyone at all – and we are willing to pay rent as per previous tenants, and be tied into a year-on-year lease agreement similar to the one Carter Jonas does with people living on the river, for British Waterways, I believe.

However, ideally we would like the land to stay as an allotment.

I have sought advice from a carbon sequestration officer who confirms that allotment land is much more carbon friendly than development – in line with the church's own environment policy. (I can send you a copy of his email)

I also have support from the local friends of the earth and the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners, and aim to raise the matter with Bicester Town Council as there are no vacant plots elsewhere in the town, and I was rather hopeful that they could be able to effect some kind of deal with you.

We hope to get the local PCT on board as gardening and allotments are known to be good for mental and physical health – a fact supported by the mental health foundation (I can send you a long leaflet on the subject if you wish further evidence).

I am also not sure that the land is still considered suitable for employment use – a few days ago I heard that after the nearby airfield was saved from development the idea was now to use the land nearby for leisure purposes ... surely an allotment/wildlife reserve would fit that bill perfectly and be in line with the church's own environmental aims?

Lawrence Webb

caz 406 · « **Reply #33 on:** April 27, 2005, 13:55:16 »

What about trying to get in touch with people like Alan Titchmarsh or any of the gardening celebs to hike up the profile?

Caz

kitty · « **Reply #34 on:** April 27, 2005, 16:18:13 »

i havent received a reply-but as my opinion of the human race as a species is at an all time low.....i am probably not the person to email anyone again......
if people dont start behaving in a humane way-especially the so-called 'christian' ones then i for one ,will have nothing more to do with them,......
grumpy kitty
sorry..
think i'm just in a bad mood...... :( >:(

fat larry · « **Reply #35 on:** April 27, 2005, 16:32:41 »

i'd love to get in touch with titch, but don't have a contact. :'(

Columbus · « **Reply #36 on:** April 27, 2005, 16:53:03 »

Hi all,

I received the same mail.

With a little web searching I came up with this,

http://www.oxford.anglican.org/

Or for those on dial-up, this..

http://www.oxford.anglican.org/category.php?c=98

From their "eco-column" "In Genesis 2:15 we are commanded to 'work and keep' the earth."

There is a huge amount on their website which I will study and hopefully arrive at a response as eloquent as Wivvles.

Best of luck to the Diggers of Oxfordshire,

Col

Lazybones · « **Reply #37 on:** April 27, 2005, 17:11:21 »

Fat Larry, it might be worth contacting his Agent. you never know, something might get through to him. If you go to his website www.alantitchmarsh.com their details are there.

Or how about the Gardener's World team - 2 angles with that as it is run by the bbc - you never know it might be of interest to the national news.

Worth a thought ;D

caz 406 · « **Reply #38 on:** April 27, 2005, 17:13:15 »

Hiya, Just looked for Titchmarsh and you can contact him via his website which is www.alantitchmarsh.com - it says he doesn't answer all letters about gardening but maybe something like this would be different?

Also it looks like Monty Don could be a good one - he is the president of the Arrow Valley Res Assoc in Herefordshire (www.avra.uk.com) according to info on the www, so perhaps try contacting him? He's obviously not averse to a bit of wrangling with the authorities...

Hope it helps,
Caz

Lazybones · « **Reply #39 on:** April 27, 2005, 17:17:15 »

Well Caz, it seems great minds think alike - or maybe we both just have silly ideas!!! Who knows ;D

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Author Topic: email campaign to save our lotties (Read 19576 times)