Allotments under threat!

[MrsMcC]

Eric Pickles, the Communities Secretary, is examining plans to free local authorities from a 103-year-old obligation to provide plots of public land for cultivation by gardeners. The proposals could see local authorities, many of them strapped for cash under government-imposed cuts, selling off allotment land for social housing or even for profit to major companies. Link to petition:

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/61225

[MrsMcC]

Good news and thanks to those that signed the petition. Don't know where the petition starter got her info but reassuring to hear the response. My sister has a plot in Penge and friends also have in Dulwich, they are communities too and should be protected.

As this e-petition has received more than 10 000 signatures, the relevant Government department have provided the following response: An e-petition has been suggesting that the Department for Communities and Local Government is examining plans to remove council duties to provide allotments. This is completely untrue and has no basis in fact.

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/61225

[Nigello]

I like the idea of allotments, but prefer the idea of more, cheaper housing. If the choice was allotment or Peabody-type flats, I'd go for the latter, though I wouldn't be as happy if the choice was allotment vs major company. Land for housing is at a premium here in Zone 1 - 6, especially 1 - 4 and something has to give.

[MrsMcC]

I don?t think there?s anyone would disagree that we need more affordable housing but not at the sake of thriving allotments where individuals/families have worked so hard to cultivate a small plot of land to grow their own. If they were ever to be sold off you just know they would end up in the hands of private developers who would only be after making a fast buck.