email recieved

[marky55555]

I am writing to ask for your support in a debate on allotment provision which is to take place in the House of Commons on Tuesday the 22nd July.

Current legislation and guidance on allotment provision is summed up by Iain Wright, MP on behalf of the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government:

"Section 23 of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908 places a duty on local authorities (except for inner London boroughs) to provide allotments where they perceive a demand for them in their area. Furthermore, 'Planning Policy Guidance Note 17: Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation, 2002′ requires local authorities to make provision for all types of open space and requires them to undertake robust assessments of local needs and audits of existing open space, to establish standards for new provision. By implementing the guidance in PPG 17, local authorities should make adequate provision for allotments." (Hansard 6 May 2008 : Column 737W)

However, despite legislation and guidance, it seems that Local Authorities have difficulty with the provision of allotments. In Wirral there are 1600 allotments and about 400 people on waiting lists. In my local area anyone going on the waiting list is now told to expect a wait of 10 or even 20 years. Insert information regarding your own area

This seems to reflect a national trend. A recent article from The Guardian (22nd March 2008) reports that "Demand outstrips supply most in Yorkshire, where six towns have a combined waiting list of more than 3,500 people. Sheffield has 1,400 on its list. Elsewhere, Manchester has 850 people on the waiting list for allotments, Edinburgh has 1,150, Plymouth 1,000 and Blyth Valley, in Northumberland, has more than 1,200. In Swindon, there is now a five-year waiting list."

In 1998 the Conclusion of the Select Committee on Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Fifth Report talks of the anticipated future increase in demand for allotments. It mentions that the performance of local authorities with regard to allotment provision is "best described as patchy". It is "disappointed to be told by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State that allotments are essentially a local issue. We believe that the provision of allotments is a national issue." It calls for a consolidation of the legislation and a participatory role for central Government. (http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm199798/cmselect/cmenvtra/560/56014.htm)

Allotments combine physical activity with social interaction, learning and skills, recycling and the production of cheap and healthy food. They contribute to the local informal economy and to the principles of environmental sustainability and biodiversity.

It appears that in the UK now, thousands of people are queuing to eat more healthily, take more exercise and live more sustainably. Surely this is a national issue? Is it not time for the Government to participate?

[marky55555]

[marky55555]

maybe we should be phoning or mps  ;D

[kt.]

Our site only has 7 years left no the lease.  Nobody knows what will happen then, or if it will be renewed. ???

[marky55555]

id be askin round councils etc to see whats gonna happen as the time will fly

[Robert_Brenchley]

Our site only has 7 years left no the lease.  Nobody knows what will happen then, or if it will be renewed. ???

I know the feeling. I'm not sure what the current position is between Calthorpe, who own the land, and the Council, but we've been assured the site is safe. But we had several years of being told by the then committee that the lease was running out and we weren't secure. I think it was just scaremongering, but it made a lot of people feel nervous about the future, as it was probably intended to.

[trinity]

Iain Wright is my mp think i will wright to him agane (see my thread wating litsts)

[marky55555]

minutes of meeting can be found here-

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080722/halltext/80722h0011.htm

what do you peeps think??

[ceres]

I've just read it and TBH I wouldn't be holding my breath for anything to change anytime soon.  All the Government keeps saying is - it's up to local authorities.  But the legislation that obliges them to provide allotments is so wooly they can drag it out as long as they want or do nothing and there's no comeback except if would-be allotment holders feel like taking them to court, and how often does that happen?

From reading here, it seems that the best options for someone who is desperate for a plot is to make a complete nuisance of yourself with the council and follow-up every derelict plot on your chosen site with the council or find some unused land and see if you can do a deal with whoever owns it to get a private site established.

[marky55555]

agreed but guess what i am the biggest pin in the a... you could ever want to meat sent 84 emails and got 64 answers in last 2 weeks made 20 phone calls and am now on first name terms with allotment allocation officer and 5 local councilors so i think they may get fed up eventually lol

[ceres]

A man after my own heart, give 'em hell!

[saddad]

Go for it Marky55555.....  ;D

[GodfreyRob]

Just seen this:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/moreallotments/

I know therehave been others - but its current and someday somebody will notice..

[sheddie]

I've just signed that one too - as you say, hopefully they will sit up and take notice eventually!