Reading through our Town council's new allotment contract (Draft) I find they are banning the use of Black Plastic and foam backed carpet. I quite agree with the foam backed carpet but just about every book/publication on allotments recommends Black Plastic as a mulch including the RHS. No one else commented on it at the meeting I went to and I'd just come back from holiday and didn't notice this condition had been put on.
So what are your views on Black plastic?
I like to use it but lately I have started to use cardboard. :)
What's the reasoning?
Commercial sites are covered in other sorts of plastic.
I think it's absurd to ban it, although I've always found it interesting that people claim to be organic & use something made out of oil to cover the ground... I suppose some plastic goes brittle & could look unsightly, but have never heard of it actually contaminating the ground.
Well it's now OK. ;)
I emailed the town Councillor writing the draft and the response was immediate...they were worried about it blowing around and causing litter but they've agreed to change it so you can have it but it must be secured.
Not used to having such a reasonable bunch of people on the town council..that actually listen!
Quote from: Kea on August 22, 2008, 18:53:14
Not used to having such a reasonable bunch of people on the town council..that actually listen!
And reply quickly, and actually do things... impressive!
Can we get a reply from Kingston upon Thames as to whether chickens can come to our site with its blessing?
That would be a no - and the lack of response is months now.
Your Council is to be applauded!
Our old Town council wouldn't have answered, wouldn't have listened. In May a bunch of independents stood for election against the Conservatives after becoming frustrated about the way things were run. They all got in making it one of the biggest losses for the Conservative party in the entire country.
At the moment they're delivering but it's only been 3/4 months so lets not get too excited!
Even three months of responsive local government is reason to celebrate! ;D
The Town Clerk is not so helpful but we now seem to have a direct line to the chairperson of the amenities committee. She's emailed us all so we all now have her email address!
How ever with the tough new rules coming in it's going to work both ways...so I'd better get on top of my weeds :-[