Hi all,
If anyone were thinking of disposing of allotments ...
An Authority wishing to dispose of statutory allotment land or use it for any purpose other than allotments is required to seek the Secretary of State's consent under section 8 of the Allotments Act 1925 . Statutory allotment land is defined as land that has been specifically acquired for the use as allotments.
In the first instance, applications for disposal are dealt with by Government Offices and so in order to take this matter forward I would advise you to contact Margaret Adlam at the Government for the South East, Planning Casework Team, Bridge House, 1 Walnut Tree Close, Guildford, Surrey GU1 4GA.
Consent for disposal cannot be given unless the Secretary of State is satisfied that certain criteria are met. The criteria were consulted on in the draft PPG 17 and clarified criteria were issued to local authorities in February 2001. The criteria are that:
ยท The allotment in question is not necessary and is surplus to requirements;
ยท Adequate provision will be made for displaced plot holders, or that such provision is not necessary or is impracticable;
ยท The number of people on the waiting list has been effectively taken into account;
ยท The authority has actively promoted and publicised the availability of allotment sites and has consulted the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners; and,
ยท The implications of disposal for other relevant policies, in particular development plan policies, have been taken into account.
You may also wish to be aware that under PPG17 Local Authorities are required to undertake robust audits of existing space and to conduct assessments of need for their areas so that they can both protect existing facilities and plan for new ones where they are needed. It is expected that by implementing the guidance in PPG17, adequate provision for allotments should be made. PPG17 also mentions cemeteries and churchyards in its typology of open space. I you don't have a copy, you can download PPG17 from the website at
www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_control/documents/contentservertemplate/odpm_index.hcst?n=3425&l=3I do hope this information is helpful.
Best of Luck,
Col