Legislation?

[Hepsibah]

I live in an area that is getting funds for 'urban regeneration' and I'm hearing about plans for our allotments. Apparantly our allotments are to be either flattened and built on or flattened and re-vamped. Neither option is appealing.
If the land is redeveloped, we will be given alternative land to use and will be financially compensated but we will no longer be able to keep livestock as the alternative has bye-laws that prohibit poultry being kept on it. If it is re-vamped it will mean it will be completely flattened and stripped, the plots will be changed to make them more uniform and we will each be given an identical shed and greenhouse. Apart from the perimeter fence, no fences will be allowed. That means we will not be able to keep livestock there either.
I have no wish to have either of these things happen and most of the other allotment holders are worried and angry too. Is there any legislation that anyone knows about that might help in this situation? Our local council like to pull the wool over your eyes and ignore the law if they can get away with it, being able to quote it to them can often pull them up short.

[Tigerhair]

The Allotment Act of 1887 meant that local authorities were obliged to provide allotments if there was a demand... perhaps if you got hold of the up to date Allotment Act, you'd find out more....? Let us know and good luck...

[Tigerhair]

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts.htm For acts of parliament - if you type in Allotments in the search - there's loads of info on allotments and smallholdings...

[Andy Hamilton]

There was a campaign in Brighton to stop there allotments being turned into a park and ride - http://homepage.ntlworld.com/togun/Time ... eHorsdean/

they might be worth a contact.

[Shirley]

It might be worth a letter/call/email to your local mp - a joint letter perhaps, if there are a group of you that are disgruntled (and rightly so!!)

Good luck

[ina]

I had the same idea as Shirlz... Get together as a group, that has more impact. All the best!

[Muddypause]

There was an article in last autumn's Permaculture Magazine about some other allotmenteers facing a similar predicament. I've scanned the article and put it up here if you want to read it.

I may have to take it down eventually, but I'll leave it up there for a few weeks at least.

Good luck.

[Shirley]

http://www.nsalg.org.uk/page.php?page_id=33

The national society of allotment and leisure gardeners might offer some advice too.

[Hepsibah]

Well, I've met with a surprising amount of apathy from the other allotment holders. They aren't happy but don't see any point in fighting a battle they feel they will lose.
It doesn't matter, I've found the relevant legislation to prevent it. It seems they can't change it without giving us a years notice and they can't change it's use without permission from the government. I'll be there myself tomorrow to find out if the permission has been sought and if it hasn't I have a copy of the relevant bit of legislation to wave under their noses.
One other useful bit of information I found was about vandalism. It would appear that the allotment authority should ensure adequate security measures such as good fences and hedges are in place. I may be bringing this up with them as well.

[Tigerhair]

Go for it honey!!! Well done. Let us know how you get on, I'll be thinking of you.

[Shirley]

Go Hep go!!!

What a shame that the other lottie holders are not standing up to this... but I'm not surprised...Apathy is very contagious.

[woolcraft]

Hi Hepsibah

Likewise, I say Go for It. We have had a number of similar cases here over the past few years. Archives of Northern Echo (www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk) will have details of individual battles, probably contact names also with those involved which may help you. Good luck, most recent one in Howden-le-Wear looks like being won by the allotment holders, so maybe some pointers there.

Good Luck
Sue