Council closing allotments
 

I just heard my council as decided to close down most of its
allotments, including mine. Any comments on opposing this
welcome.
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Walking, Wasdale, Thames path, London etc "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" -- you can email us@ this site
Spain, food and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" -- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap

Council closing allotments
 

On Wed, 17 Mar 2004 12:19:53 +0000, The Reid
wrote:

~I just heard my council as decided to close down most of its
~allotments, including mine. Any comments on opposing this
~welcome.

It would be helpful if you told us which council...

http://www.nsalg.org.uk/ are the people you need to contact ASAP.

I don't believe they *can* just close them - they have to provide
other sites of equivalent quality somewhere else.

Write to gardening magazines and Watchdog. Amateur Gardening in
particular have in this week's issue a review reminding readers of
their successful allotments campaign of a few years ago. Might be
worth dropping them a line.

good luck.

--
jane

Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone,
you may still exist but you have ceased to live.
Mark Twain

Please remove onmaps from replies, thanks!

Council closing allotments
 

Following up to jane

It would be helpful if you told us which council...

London Borough of Bexley

good luck.

thanks!
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Walking, Wasdale, Thames path, London etc "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" -- you can email us@ this site
Spain, food and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" -- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap

Council closing allotments
 

The message
from The Reid contains these words:

I just heard my council as decided to close down most of its
allotments, including mine. Any comments on opposing this
welcome.

Are the allotments (in the main) being used? If they are, and not just
one or oases of order two dotted around in a straggling desert, I'd have
a google on 'ombudsman' and 'council' and see what turns up, then, when
you have found someone with some teeth, organise everybody to contact
said teeth.

Petitions are not heeded too much, but a different letter from each
holder to individual councillors and to the council in general would
carry a lot more weight.

Try to get the sympathy of as many councillors as possible, and not only
opposition ones, as they'll support you for their own reasons.

If you do get up a petition, the views of householders near the
allotments are the most important to canvas.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

Council closing allotments
 

Following up to Jaques d'Alltrades

I just heard my council as decided to close down most of its
allotments, including mine. Any comments on opposing this
welcome.

Are the allotments (in the main) being used?

that's the silly thing, recently lots of new people have taken
them up, we are now back up to nearly all the ones in the centre
being used, the rest would need tree clearance to reactivate. The
latest person to try and take one up has been refused.

If you do get up a petition, the views of householders near the
allotments are the most important to canvas.

We are deep in parkland, so no neighbours but one of the other
sites is rumoured to be earmarked to be used as a hostel for
mentally ill. Now what rumour can *I* start? :-)
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Walking, Wasdale, Thames path, London etc "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" -- you can email us@ this site
Spain, food and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" -- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap

Council closing allotments
 

On Wed, 17 Mar 2004 12:19:53 +0000, The Reid
wrote:

~I just heard my council as decided to close down most of its
~allotments, including mine. Any comments on opposing this
~welcome.

It would be helpful if you told us which council...

http://www.nsalg.org.uk/ are the people you need to contact ASAP.

I don't believe they *can* just close them - they have to provide
other sites of equivalent quality somewhere else.

Write to gardening magazines and Watchdog. Amateur Gardening in
particular have in this week's issue a review reminding readers of
their successful allotments campaign of a few years ago. Might be
worth dropping them a line.

good luck.

--
jane

Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone,
you may still exist but you have ceased to live.
Mark Twain

Please remove onmaps from replies, thanks!

Council closing allotments
 

Following up to jane

It would be helpful if you told us which council...

London Borough of Bexley

good luck.

thanks!
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Walking, Wasdale, Thames path, London etc "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" -- you can email us@ this site
Spain, food and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" -- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap

Council closing allotments
 

The message
from The Reid contains these words:

I just heard my council as decided to close down most of its
allotments, including mine. Any comments on opposing this
welcome.

Are the allotments (in the main) being used? If they are, and not just
one or oases of order two dotted around in a straggling desert, I'd have
a google on 'ombudsman' and 'council' and see what turns up, then, when
you have found someone with some teeth, organise everybody to contact
said teeth.

Petitions are not heeded too much, but a different letter from each
holder to individual councillors and to the council in general would
carry a lot more weight.

Try to get the sympathy of as many councillors as possible, and not only
opposition ones, as they'll support you for their own reasons.

If you do get up a petition, the views of householders near the
allotments are the most important to canvas.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

Council closing allotments
 

Following up to Jaques d'Alltrades

I just heard my council as decided to close down most of its
allotments, including mine. Any comments on opposing this
welcome.

Are the allotments (in the main) being used?

that's the silly thing, recently lots of new people have taken
them up, we are now back up to nearly all the ones in the centre
being used, the rest would need tree clearance to reactivate. The
latest person to try and take one up has been refused.

If you do get up a petition, the views of householders near the
allotments are the most important to canvas.

We are deep in parkland, so no neighbours but one of the other
sites is rumoured to be earmarked to be used as a hostel for
mentally ill. Now what rumour can *I* start? :-)
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Walking, Wasdale, Thames path, London etc "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" -- you can email us@ this site
Spain, food and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" -- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap

Council closing allotments
 

"The Reid" wrote in message ...
I just heard my council as decided to close down most of its
allotments, including mine. Any comments on opposing this
welcome.

My understanding of the law relating to allotments is that if there are 6 or
more people in an area that want allotments the Council must provide them,
no argument!
If they are Statutory Allotments (your Council should tell you if you ask)
then you have some protection as your Council will have to apply to the
Regional DOE for Section 8 powers (change of use and transfer of control)
which means your Council have to prove there is no need for the allotments
and that they have been actively marketing them without response.
A letter of complaint from you all to the DOE would be a good start, and if
you know they have not complied with the active marketing, have allowed
sites to be vandalised because of broken fences, etc, then say so.

--
Regards
Bob

Use a useful Screen Saver...
http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/
and find intelligent life amongst the stars

Council closing allotments
 

"The Reid" wrote in message
...
I just heard my council as decided to close down most of its
allotments, including mine. Any comments on opposing this
welcome.

Oh bugger Mike.. I am sorry:(

Good luck with it

O

Council closing allotments
 

"The Reid" wrote in message ...
I just heard my council as decided to close down most of its
allotments, including mine. Any comments on opposing this
welcome.

My understanding of the law relating to allotments is that if there are 6 or
more people in an area that want allotments the Council must provide them,
no argument!
If they are Statutory Allotments (your Council should tell you if you ask)
then you have some protection as your Council will have to apply to the
Regional DOE for Section 8 powers (change of use and transfer of control)
which means your Council have to prove there is no need for the allotments
and that they have been actively marketing them without response.
A letter of complaint from you all to the DOE would be a good start, and if
you know they have not complied with the active marketing, have allowed
sites to be vandalised because of broken fences, etc, then say so.

--
Regards
Bob

Use a useful Screen Saver...
http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/
and find intelligent life amongst the stars

Council closing allotments
 

"The Reid" wrote in message
...
I just heard my council as decided to close down most of its
allotments, including mine. Any comments on opposing this
welcome.

Oh bugger Mike.. I am sorry:(

Good luck with it

O

Council closing allotments
 

The message
from The Reid contains these words:

Now what rumour can *I* start? :-)

Complex for the treatment of sexual offenders? Holding area for failed
assylum-seekers? Power station burning poultry waste? I was going to
suggest that the council had been offered large sums of money by a
naturist organisation, but I have a feeling that might only line the
pockets of optical instrument makers.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

Council closing allotments
 

The message
from The Reid contains these words:

Now what rumour can *I* start? :-)

Complex for the treatment of sexual offenders? Holding area for failed
assylum-seekers? Power station burning poultry waste? I was going to
suggest that the council had been offered large sums of money by a
naturist organisation, but I have a feeling that might only line the
pockets of optical instrument makers.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

Council closing allotments
 

The message
from The Reid contains these words:

I just heard my council as decided to close down most of its
allotments, including mine. Any comments on opposing this
welcome.

I`ve read an awful lot of stuff on the legal`s regarding allotments and
it`s not easy to close them down with no alternative available.

It could be they just do not want the hassle of running it anymore.
Possible suggestion is to go self managed.

Council closing allotments
 

The message
from The Reid contains these words:

I just heard my council as decided to close down most of its
allotments, including mine. Any comments on opposing this
welcome.

I`ve read an awful lot of stuff on the legal`s regarding allotments and
it`s not easy to close them down with no alternative available.

It could be they just do not want the hassle of running it anymore.
Possible suggestion is to go self managed.

Council closing allotments
 

On Wed, 17 Mar 2004 17:29:08 GMT, Jaques d'Alltrades
wrote:

The message
from The Reid contains these words:

Now what rumour can *I* start? :-)

Complex for the treatment of sexual offenders? Holding area for failed
assylum-seekers? Power station burning poultry waste? I was going to
suggest that the council had been offered large sums of money by a
naturist organisation, but I have a feeling that might only line the
pockets of optical instrument makers.

Area contaminated with anthrax as a result of a hushed up terrorist
attack?
--

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit;
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad

Council closing allotments
 

On Wed, 17 Mar 2004 17:29:08 GMT, Jaques d'Alltrades
wrote:

The message
from The Reid contains these words:

Now what rumour can *I* start? :-)

Complex for the treatment of sexual offenders? Holding area for failed
assylum-seekers? Power station burning poultry waste? I was going to
suggest that the council had been offered large sums of money by a
naturist organisation, but I have a feeling that might only line the
pockets of optical instrument makers.

Area contaminated with anthrax as a result of a hushed up terrorist
attack?
--

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit;
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad

Council closing allotments
 

"The Reid" wrote

Now what rumour can *I* start? :-)

The disposal of radioactive waste from OUTSIDE the Borough is usually
quite a good one, as it gets the NIMBYs going too.

Followed closely by the burial of asbestos.

- Tom.

Council closing allotments
 

On Thu, 18 Mar 2004 16:15:05 -0000, "Tom Bennett"
wrote:

"The Reid" wrote

Now what rumour can *I* start? :-)

The disposal of radioactive waste from OUTSIDE the Borough is usually
quite a good one, as it gets the NIMBYs going too.

Followed closely by the burial of asbestos

and victims of serial killers.
--

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit;
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad

Council closing allotments
 

"The Reid" wrote

Now what rumour can *I* start? :-)

The disposal of radioactive waste from OUTSIDE the Borough is usually
quite a good one, as it gets the NIMBYs going too.

Followed closely by the burial of asbestos.

- Tom.

Council closing allotments
 

On Thu, 18 Mar 2004 16:15:05 -0000, "Tom Bennett"
wrote:

"The Reid" wrote

Now what rumour can *I* start? :-)

The disposal of radioactive waste from OUTSIDE the Borough is usually
quite a good one, as it gets the NIMBYs going too.

Followed closely by the burial of asbestos

and victims of serial killers.
--

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit;
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad

Council closing allotments
 

"The Reid" wrote

Now what rumour can *I* start? :-)

The disposal of radioactive waste from OUTSIDE the Borough is usually
quite a good one, as it gets the NIMBYs going too.

Followed closely by the burial of asbestos.

- Tom.

Council closing allotments
 

On Thu, 18 Mar 2004 16:15:05 -0000, "Tom Bennett"
wrote:

"The Reid" wrote

Now what rumour can *I* start? :-)

The disposal of radioactive waste from OUTSIDE the Borough is usually
quite a good one, as it gets the NIMBYs going too.

Followed closely by the burial of asbestos

and victims of serial killers.
--

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit;
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad

Council closing allotments
 

"The Reid" wrote

Now what rumour can *I* start? :-)

The disposal of radioactive waste from OUTSIDE the Borough is usually
quite a good one, as it gets the NIMBYs going too.

Followed closely by the burial of asbestos.

- Tom.

Council closing allotments
 

On Thu, 18 Mar 2004 16:15:05 -0000, "Tom Bennett"
wrote:

"The Reid" wrote

Now what rumour can *I* start? :-)

The disposal of radioactive waste from OUTSIDE the Borough is usually
quite a good one, as it gets the NIMBYs going too.

Followed closely by the burial of asbestos

and victims of serial killers.
--

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit;
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad

Council closing allotments
 

"The Reid" wrote

Now what rumour can *I* start? :-)

The disposal of radioactive waste from OUTSIDE the Borough is usually
quite a good one, as it gets the NIMBYs going too.

Followed closely by the burial of asbestos.

- Tom.

Council closing allotments
 

"The Reid" wrote

Now what rumour can *I* start? :-)

The disposal of radioactive waste from OUTSIDE the Borough is usually
quite a good one, as it gets the NIMBYs going too.

Followed closely by the burial of asbestos.

- Tom.

Council closing allotments
 

On Thu, 18 Mar 2004 16:15:05 -0000, "Tom Bennett"
wrote:

"The Reid" wrote

Now what rumour can *I* start? :-)

The disposal of radioactive waste from OUTSIDE the Borough is usually
quite a good one, as it gets the NIMBYs going too.

Followed closely by the burial of asbestos

and victims of serial killers.
--

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit;
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad

Council closing allotments
 

"The Reid" wrote

Now what rumour can *I* start? :-)

The disposal of radioactive waste from OUTSIDE the Borough is usually
quite a good one, as it gets the NIMBYs going too.

Followed closely by the burial of asbestos.

- Tom.

Council closing allotments
 

On Wed, 17 Mar 2004 15:19:11 +0000, The Reid
wrote:


We are deep in parkland, so no neighbours but one of the other
sites is rumoured to be earmarked to be used as a hostel for
mentally ill. Now what rumour can *I* start? :-)

Dont fall for that one. Its a great trick who would object to a
hostel for the disabled.....arr...you would have to be sick. No one
will side with you.

BUT you will find that once the ground is cleared that the planning
app changes and its now to be used for "low cost housing" a bail
hostel the such like.

Your best way to fight is the loss of community, the loss of the green
space, ecology recycling. Get the Greens on your side.

Dogger

Council closing allotments
 

On Wed, 17 Mar 2004 15:19:11 +0000, The Reid
wrote:


We are deep in parkland, so no neighbours but one of the other
sites is rumoured to be earmarked to be used as a hostel for
mentally ill. Now what rumour can *I* start? :-)

Dont fall for that one. Its a great trick who would object to a
hostel for the disabled.....arr...you would have to be sick. No one
will side with you.

BUT you will find that once the ground is cleared that the planning
app changes and its now to be used for "low cost housing" a bail
hostel the such like.

Your best way to fight is the loss of community, the loss of the green
space, ecology recycling. Get the Greens on your side.

Dogger

Council closing allotments
 

On Wed, 17 Mar 2004 15:19:11 +0000, The Reid
wrote:


We are deep in parkland, so no neighbours but one of the other
sites is rumoured to be earmarked to be used as a hostel for
mentally ill. Now what rumour can *I* start? :-)

Dont fall for that one. Its a great trick who would object to a
hostel for the disabled.....arr...you would have to be sick. No one
will side with you.

BUT you will find that once the ground is cleared that the planning
app changes and its now to be used for "low cost housing" a bail
hostel the such like.

Your best way to fight is the loss of community, the loss of the green
space, ecology recycling. Get the Greens on your side.

Dogger

Council closing allotments
 

"Dogger" wrote Your best way to fight is the loss of community, the
loss of the green
space, ecology recycling. Get the Greens on your side.

Forget the Greens, concentrate on the Greys. Even the Chancellor runs
scared of pensioners marching on Parliament and appearing outside
courtrooms - he's been running for cover for a while now, scattering free
TV licences, winter fuel allowances and £100 "Council Tax Rebates" in his
wake, in the hope of putting them off the scent.

If there's one thing all politicians fear it's people who have the time
and the inclination to bombard them with letters, phone calls, corporate
complaints and awkward questions and to pack the public gallery at Council
meetings.

IME, pensioners are ideally placed to make Councillors' and Local Govt
Officers' lives a complete misery and they have the advantage that
politicians instinctively feel that they *have* to listen to them and tend
to be hamstrung when it comes to fighting back. Although politicians can
be robust (often downright rude) in their handling of the rest of us, it
doesn't do to be seen to be ignoring or rough-handling an 80-year old
grannie now, does it?

- Tom.