I didn't know that

[Percy]

51st birthday last saturday and was given a copy of a River Cottage Spring, don't know how i missed it when aired as Hugh was my inspiration for getting involved in self-suffcientcy in the first place. Now, what i didn't know was that if 6 people get together and approach the local council they are duty bound to find them a piece of land to develope to raise food. I was wondering if anyone else realised this, have tried it and how they got on. I'm sure some of you have seen the Bristol project that he features in the programme and would like to say how much i admire these people. If you haven't i would recommend anyone gets a copy to look at.

[Milims]

How very interesting! There is a piece of land, owned by our local council, right next to my garden. The council recently tried to sell it, giving first dibs to anyone whos property joined on to it. Someone did "buy" it for £5000 but the sale fell thru. They offered it to us again but we said no thanks - not at that price! The land is now pretty much an area of waste ground that no-one wants. Hmmm - wonder if I can find 5 friends!
By any chance does it state that it has to be people from different households? Where could we find the info?

[Helsbells]

Yes I was aware of this, when I first moved to my area I wanted an allotment from my local council, and they said they wouldnt even put me on the waiting list for one as the list was so long. I said that they were obligated to provide land to the public, and they pretty much shrugged their shoulders and said they needed land for a cemetary before they could start looking for land for allotments.
I went to another council and they gave me an allotment after 3 months.
The harded thing for me would have been to find five people in my area who would want one.

[MKG]

I may be wrong, but I don't think that it's strictly true. They are obliged to make the effort if they don't already do so, and even then they're not obliged to find allotment space very near to you. If they offer you an allotment 15 miles away, they've met their obligation. The "law" on allotments comes very low down the list of council priorities and is easily overridden by other laws (H&S, Planning Regs., etc.).

After all, if there really is no land available, you can hardly insist that the council begins a demolition program. I think HFW's Landshare scheme might be a better bet.

[Percy]

I must admit HFW didn't go into specifics so i'm sure local authorities would obviously have some kind of get out clause. The landshare scheme certainly does seem a better alternative although I haven't had chance to check it out yet. I'm ok as it is as i am fortunate enough myself to rent 2 reasonable size plots on my local allotment. I am looking now to be able find somewhere where i can raise livestock but it would need to be fairly local, i have a farmer friend who has offered a small piece of land for me to rent in the last couple of days. I won't be rushing into this just yet though i need to do some more research for my own piece of mind. He has offered all his experience to help me. Watch this space i guess.