Extra Allotments for Thornbury (EAT!) Campaign

7 July 2008

History

When the Grow Your Own Food group started in early 2006 (it predates Sustainable Thornbury slightly, but now is part of ST), many of us were on the waiting list for Dagg's Allotments. At that time, we were told the wait would be one year. In the end, my allotment came up after nearly two years. And I understand the wait is now much longer (five years if you're last on the list)…

Dagg's Allotments are run by Thornbury Town Trust, which, according to MyThornbury?, "is a Registered Charity with seven trustees, three nominated by the [Thornbury Town] Council. It helps organisations, groups and individuals in Thornbury." Anyone who wishes to have an allotment is told to ring Margaret Powell of the Trust.

The waiting list for allotments at Dagg's is now closed at 30. This means that if anyone rings up to enquire, they will be told they cannot get on the list. I am guessing they are told to try again in September-ish, when allotments are allocated to people on the waiting list…

In January 2007, when I was representing ST on the S Glos Local Food Partnership, I agreed to work with S Glos on providing a case study of how our bid for more allotments in Thornbury goes… S Glos seemed very helpful in this area and perhaps we can build on this… (More on this later.)

In Spring 2007, Sustainable Thornbury commissioned (free of charge) a group of Masters degree students in Planning from Cardiff University to look into suitable sites for additional allotments in Thornbury. This report was recently circulated to some of you, and to the Thornbury Town Council. If you would like a copy, I can e-mail it to you. (It is a large PDF file.)

Legally Speaking...

The reason the Town Council was approached is that, legally, the Council has a statutory obligation to respond to evidence of demand for allotments. In fact, even Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall mentions this in the Radio Times (24-30 May 2008, p 42), when discussing his new TV series, "River Cottage Spring", which discusses allotments:

"We've found an obscure law that suggests that if six or more households from an area request land to grow food, their local council has to respond. You could start a grow-your-own movement. Once you've started down that road, you don't go back. I don't ever hear people saying, 'I used to grow vegetables but now I can't be bothered.'"

This "obscure law" is The Small Holders and Allotments Act of 1908: [1]

Fortunately, the Council is taking this seriously, recognises that the closed waiting list of 30 represents evidence of demand, and is looking into various pieces of land that the students recommended and that some of us have heard about anecdotally.

Our MP, Steve Webb, is supporting us in this. As he is now the Lib Dem Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, Energy, Food and Rural Affairs, he's well placed!! And he was very enthusiastic about our campaign…

He wrote to me on 1 July 2008:

"Further to our recent correspondence about the provision of allotments, I have now received the enclosed reply from the Department of Communities and Local Government.

"The Minister's reply is interesting and does confirm that if a local authority considers that there is sufficient demand for allotments, it is required to provide them. It also makes clear that if 6 persons make representations on this issue to a local authority, the authority must consider them. However, it is not clear how local authorities are to obtain land for allotments where none is available other than through Section 106 agreements with developers to provide open spaces for new housing developments.

"I intend to send a copy of the Minister's letter to Thornbury Town Council as this is the authority with which you have been discussing this issue. I shall ask the Council if it is willing to formally consider this matter at a Council meeting if 6 electors make written representations asking them to do so.

"I will send you a copy of the reply."

(I have e-mailed Steve Webb, letting him know that the Town Council appears to be considering this formally already.)

Here is the Minister's letter:

"Dear Steve, Thank you for your letter of 3 June to the Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP on behalf of some of your constituents about allotments. I am replying as the Minister responsible for allotment policy.

"The provision of allotments is the responsibility of local authorities. The Smallholdings and Allotments Act 1908) places a duty on local authorities (except for inner London boroughs) to provide allotments where they perceive a demand for them in their area. If an allotment authority is of the opinion that there is a demand for allotments in its area, it is required, under Section 23 of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908, to provide a sufficient number of allotments and to let them to persons residing in its area who want them.

"Written representations may be made to the local authority on the need for allotments by any 6 resident registered electors or persons liable to pay council tax, and the local authority must take those representations into account (section 23(2) of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908). The Council must assess whether there is a demand for allotments in their area. If the Council then decides that there is a demand for them, they have a statutory duty to provide a sufficient number of plots. In terms of the duty to provide under Section 23 of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908 there is no time limit for provision once it has been established that there is a demand.

"This is supported by the planning system, Planning Policy (PPG17), Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation, requires local authorities to make provision for all types of open space that may be of public value. It also requires local authorities to undertake robust assessments of local needs for, and audits of, existing open space, sports and recreational facilities and to establish standards for new provision. It is expected that by implementing guidance in PPG17, local authorities should make adequate provision for allotments. Furthermore Planning Policy Statement 3 states that local planning authorities should have clear policies for the creation of open space (including allotments) in new housing developments. Local planning authorities can negotiate agreements with developers to provide allotments before granting planning permission under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 ('s106 agreements' or 'planning obligations'). In addition, they may be able to impose conditions, which require developers to provide new allotments in certain cases if this is necessary to make the development acceptable in planning terms, and if it is viewed as reasonable in relation to development.

"Local authorities are empowered by section 53(4) of the 1908 Act to borrow money for the purpose of acquiring, improving and adapting land for allotments. The amount a district council can borrow for these purposes and the means by which they can borrow are regulated in the same way as borrowing for any other purposes, and the same can be said for parish councils, although their borrowing is subject to different statutory controls. Borrowing powers of local authorities were extended by the Local Govt. Act 2003 and this covers allotment provision.

"As you may be aware, statutory allotments are protected via Section 8 of the Allotments Act 1925. This requires that local authorities seek the Secretary of State's consent (via the Government Offices) for disposal or appropriation to another use. Consent cannot be given unless the Secretary of State is satisfied that [I am snipping this part out since the disposal of allotment sites is not an issue for us…]

"Allotments are valuable green spaces and community assets. We are entirely committed to allotments for all the benefits they provide, including community cohesion. There is no doubt that public interest in allotments has undergone a recent revival in line with current thinking on healthy eating, organic food and exercise.

"Over the last year and as a result of increasing parliamentary interest, we have taken forward a number of actions to reinforce our commitment to allotments and engage positively with allotment organisations. This has helped us gain a better understanding of the issues affecting allotments, plot holders and local authorities.

"In November 2007, I hosted a roundtable meeting with allotment stakeholders and experts. As a result we learnt that there are some considerations regarding clarity and application of allotments legislation, and we are therefore considering how to ensure that legislation and planning guidance is fully understood and is being applied by local authorities.

"We also worked closely with the Local Government Association to revise the good practice guidance first launched in 2001. The new edition of 'Growing in the Community – a good practice guide for the management of allotments' reflects the significant developments in the allotments movement since 2001 and has some excellent examples of current good practice, showing innovative use of allotments benefiting all sections of the community. The guide includes a section on allotment provision and provides an up to date policy framework, and a guide to allotments legislation. The Guide was launched on 13th March and the LGA have sent a free copy to every local authority in England. This guide will, we hope, help local authorities to make full use of the legislative protection afforded to allotments.

"I hope you find this information useful. Best wishes, Baroness Kay Andrews."

This letter raises many issues, however, the first one that stood out for me was the question of parish versus district councils. I asked Steve for clarity and he replied:

"Thank you for these further thoughts. The authorities that provide allotments have generally assumed to be at the town and parish level, but you have raised an interesting point because the local authority system at the time of the legislation is of course unrecognisable now. I will write to South Gloucestershire Council to find out their 'official position' on this issue. I will send you a copy of the reply."

Action points arising from this correspondence, include:

• Getting our hands on 'Growing in the Community – a good practice guide for the management of allotments' as we would like to see the policy framework and guide to allotments legislation.
• Asking Baroness Andrews what has happened since the November 2007 roundtable and what the time scale is for future action.
• Does the Town Council need to undertake a "robust assessment" of demand? Will our new campaign (see below) assist in this/substitute for this? If not, should we ask interested people to send letters to the Town Council all at the same time?
• Has the Town Council done an audit of existing open space?
• With a new housing development strategy for the county, including housing earmarked for Thornbury, what provision has been made for allotments? Will these be required for planning permission to be granted?
• What are the Council's rights in terms of borrowing money (assuming there is a suitable piece of land for sale or on offer)?
• We will also be interested to see the replies to Steve Webb from the Town Council and from South Gloucestershire Council.

Evidence of Demand

Speaking of evidence…

Anecdotally, we've heard that in Alveston, demand for allotments is over 200 (293, I believe!), and the Council, responding, plans to provide something like 50 to start.

Anecdotally, we've heard that Margaret Powell receives one to two phone calls per week, asking for an allotment. And they cannot get on the waiting list.

We know that when Dagg's Allotments offers an allotment, it is now not the "normal" size, but is typically a "half-plot"… In economics-speak, when someone is employed but not working the amount of hours they would like to, they are "underemployed." So I would say people who are given less than an allotment, when they wanted a whole one, are "underallotmentised"… which means there is additional hidden demand.

Although the legislation states that the Town Council should assess demand, Sustainable Thornbury, as you know, has launched a campaign to get the numbers ASAP.

Our article in Thornbury Magazine this month, elicited the following responses so far:

• 19 people who want an allotment but can't get on the list
• 5 people who are on the list (and the list is at 30)
• 2 people whose status I have not yet determined

which brings total demand in Thornbury to, so far: at least 49.

Many people responded quite passionately, some quite angrily, about the situation.

MyThornbury?.co.uk has carried a news item with our request.

The Gazette interviewed me about the new campaign and I was told this would appear in last week's edition, but I didn't see it. I'll chase it up and see if it will be in the paper this week, as that should get us more numbers.

The Thornbury Allotment Association has agreed to allow us to e-mail members for evidence of hidden demand, or to pick up those members who do not have allotments but wish to. (Note: You do not need to have an allotment to be a member of the Thornbury Allotment Association. By joining, you receive a discount at the Thornbury Garden Shop. See: http://www.thornburyallotments.com/)

We plan to put flyers about the campaign through the doors of new houses/flats… especially flats!…

Running New Allotments

We are optimistic that our campaign will eventually provide us with new allotments.

The Thornbury Town Trust does not wish to manage any new allotments, so we have told the Thornbury Town Council that we would be happy to set up something formally to manage them.

What Next?

In the Thornbury Town Council, it falls to the Environment Committee to address the allotments issue. These meetings are monthly or bi-monthly and the public is welcome to attend. Howard and Brett attended the latest one. The next meeting is September 2nd. To understand the auditing of open space, Howard, Brett and Felicity also plan to attend the next Playing Fields and Cemeteries Committee meeting, which is on September 4th. They are at 7.30pm in the Town Hall.

Brett and Val brought to our meeting information about the Allotments Regeneration Initiative. Although it basically is about regenerating disused or underused allotments, there is some guidance available for starting up new allotments. The South West region has a mentor and I will contact him for support.

Val is going to ask the S Glos Sustainability Team about the Council's position on allotments.

We were contacted by BBC Radio 4's "You and Yours" programme about allowing our progress to be followed, especially for Allotments Week (11-17 August). I was put in touch with Neil Dixon, of both the Allotments Regeneration Initiative and the National Allotment Gardens Trust. I am waiting to hear from him about any advice he can offer us.

Sustainable Thornbury will have a stall at the Community Fun Day in Chantry Field on Sunday August 3rd from 10a-3p. Our main mission there will be to publicise this campaign. If you wish to help out on the stall, as an excuse to meet us!, then please let me know.

I know not all of you want to be "activists" in this and are more just "interested parties" – perhaps you want to be kept informed because you want an allotment so badly! But I also know a few of you are interested in being active in the campaign. Either way is fine with us. Do let me know if you want to be more actively involved and/or have any ideas for us.

Once we've done some more research, or heard from mentors, etc, I will set up another meeting for discussion.

We are really looking forward to working on this with you!

3 August 2008

Dear all,

Steve Webb has received a reply from Thornbury Town Council on the matter of allotments. See below. This is followed by Steve's letter to me and my replies to both of them.

There are now 60 families wishing to have allotments in Thornbury, 30 of which are on Dagg's waiting list. The other 30 are unable to get on the list, as you know. Please, if, after reading below, you have any suggestions for the campaign, let me know!

all the best heather

From: Sandra Richardson, Deputy Town Clerk of Thornbury Town Council

To: Steve Webb MP Date: 14 July 2008

Dear Mr Webb

Allotments in Thornbury

Thank you for forwarding the information from the Department of Communities and Local Government regarding allotments. At present, Thornbury has 120 allotments, provided by the Town Trust, for approximately 12,000 residents. It is understood that this is double the National Allotment Associations recommendation of one allotment plot per 200 people. Would it be possible for you to confirm if this exceeds the recommended number for a town of our size?

Thornbury Town Council first received written requests for allotments from 4 residents and a member of the public, who has since become a resident, between July and August 2006; one of these was from Heather Witham. The residents were informed that Town Council did not have allotments but that it may be a matter to be discussed in the near future. This item was on the agenda for the meeting of the Environment Committee held on 5th September, when members agreed to contact the Town Trust, who own Daggs Allotments, to enquire if there was an increasing trend for allotments and then consider the findings at the next meeting. The Town Trust felt that there was an increasing demand for allotments and identified a piece of land near to their allotments which may be suitable for the purpose. By February 2007 it was reported to the Environment committee that the Trust had not been successful in securing the land and during this time a sixth resident inquired telephonically about allotment provision. Members made the decision to investigate the possibility of several plots of land in the town that might be available for allotments. At the September 2007 Environment meeting it was reported that as yet there had not been any land available and that Town Trust had closed their waiting list and and were passing enquiries to Thornbury Town Council. Committee now decided to contact the local branch of the NFU to enquire if any of its members had land available and also asked South Gloucestershire Council what land they owned within the town. By November land had not been found and in order to help those who had expressed a desire for an allotment, a garden share scheme was suggested as an alternative. It was envisaged that those asking for an allotment were put in contact with those who could not tend their garden for whatever reason. The gardener could tend the garden, the landowner would not have the worry of cultivating the garden and an agreement could be made to share any produce. In February of this year council discussed the project with Age Concern who had drawn up a comprehensive paper outlining the objectives and issues of such a scheme. It was reported at this time that the Town Trust and Allotment Association would be willing to also become involved in the project and the six residents who had expressed an interest in having an allotment were contacted for their views on the scheme. One resident replied that he had taken up the offer of garden share and another informed that she was about to take up an offer from Town Trust for one of their allotments. Heather Witham was included in this communication but I received no reply from her.

Thornbury Town Council has continued to investigate the possibility of land that might be suitable for allotments but as yet none has become available. Throughout the two years proceedings Heather Witham has been kept in contact with proceedings by various means and recently a member of Sustainable Thornbury has been included as an added member of the Environment committee and members of the group have attended meetings and joined in the debate on the subject in accordance with Town Council's standing orders.

I am sure you would have to agree that Thornbury Town Council has carried out is duties to the best of its ability and cannot be held responsible for the fact that land cannot be found. If you require any further information on the matter please do not hesitate to contact me.

From: Steve Webb MP To: Heather Witham Date: 30 July 2008

Dear Heather,

I have now received the enclosed [above] reply from Thornbury Town Council in response to the letter I sent on behalf about provision of allotments.

Although it is disappointing in that the Town Council has not yet identified a suitable site, it is clear that it is very much on your side in this, has been making strenuous efforts and is committed to continuing to look. I hope that this is therefore of some encouragement and that a site soon becomes available.

I hope this is of interest. If there any further matters that you would like me to pursue, on this or any other subject, please do not hesitate to let me know.

From: Heather Witham To: Steve Webb MP Date: 3 August 2008

Dear Steve,

Many thanks for writing to the Thornbury Town Council about allotments, and for sending me a copy of the response. I am cc'ing a letter to Sandra Richardson to you. The letter from the Town Council, though, does leave the impression that they can not find land and that the matter is virtually closed. This does not seem accurate, though, based on information I have received from various sources and so would like to seek clarity on all actions taken, as you'll see in my letter.

I look forward to receiving a copy of the response you hope to have from South Gloucestershire Council on this matter as perhaps this issue requires more support given seemingly obvious land limitations.

I will, of course, keep you updated on our participation in Radio 4's "You and Yours" programme.

From: Heather Witham To: Sandra Richardson Date: 3 August 2008

Dear Ms Richardson,

Steve Webb MP has kindly sent me a copy of your reply to him regarding allotments. I would like to address a number of issues you have raised and will begin with personal references to me.

In July 2006 I did indeed send a letter to Thornbury Town Council requesting an allotment. Subsequently, I tried numerous times to obtain a response or an update but received no reply. The first I was contacted was in February 2008, by which time I had received an allotment at Dagg's. I had put my name on the waiting list for Dagg's in January 2005 and was told the waiting list would be one year. I received my allotment in September 2007. It is my understanding that the Town Trust has closed the waiting list at 30, and the waiting list for number 30 is five years. Although I no longer need an allotment, I am campaigning on behalf of the 60 families in Thornbury that would like one. (This figure includes the waiting list plus the number of people who have contacted me in response to our campaign for more allotments.) Does Thornbury Town Council recognise Dagg's waiting list of 30 as evidence of demand as required under the Small Holders and Allotments Act of 1908 or should I suggest to the 60 families that they send letters directly to the Town Council requesting an allotment? I realise that the Town Council has been seeking out additional land for allotments regardless of "direct" evidence, but as the number of people who contact the Council has been quoted at Environment Committee meetings and in your letter, I thought perhaps you would still appreciate an exact figure that met legislative requirements.

According to the 1908 Act, there is no particular number of allotments per number of residents required or suggested. Instead, the Council is obligated to provide allotments if there is evidence of demand. Quoting Baroness Andrews' letter, which Steve Webb forwarded to you, "This is supported by the planning system, Planning Policy (PPG17), Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation, requires local authorities to make provision for all types of open space that may be of public value. It also requires local authorities to undertake robust assessments of local needs for, and audits of, existing open space, sports and recreational facilities and to establish standards for new provision. It is expected that by implementing guidance in PPG17, local authorities should make adequate provision for allotments."

I recently e-mailed you as part of an e-mail conversation with Cllr Clive Parkinson about audits of open space in Thornbury. He confirmed that such an audit has taken place recently but could not tell me if this audit was publicly available. I have not had a response from you as yet, but am assuming that such information would be available under the Freedom of Information Act.

You may think that we in the allotments campaign are being "difficult" and not giving Thornbury Town Council any credit for the work they do on this matter. This is not the case. We understand that Town Councillors, like us, are volunteers, which is why we wish to work closely with you on this matter, to share the workload. However, we have found obtaining information on what has been done so far to secure more land for allotments difficult to obtain. This letter to Steve Webb contained many items that we were unaware of and so appreciate very much that the channels of communication need to be wide open.

We have determined from our EAT! Campaign (Extra Allotments for Thornbury), that many residents who responded are not only passionate but also quite angry and frustrated by any perceivable lack of action taken on the part of Thornbury Town Council. As clearly (from your letter to Steve Webb) this is not the case, I would suggest that the activities be made more public, and in fact, publicised, even though perhaps they are available to download from the Town Council's website. (This may not be sufficient, as, for example, no mention is made of working with Age Concern and sending out letters in the February 2008 Environment Committee minutes, although perhaps in earlier minutes it was? In either case, it is not readily accessible to seek out allotments updates from the various minutes posted.) Of course, given the limited resources of Town Councillors (by way of time), we in Sustainable Thornbury would be happy to assist in making activities known. These residents would be interested to know, in particular, why certain open areas around Thornbury are not available or suitable for allotments. This would lead to greater understanding of the Council's plight and perhaps trigger constructive thinking as to alternative solutions.

With regard to Age Concern and the Garden Share Scheme, do you have an update as to how this is proceeding?

Referring again to Baroness Andrews' letter, I have asked Steve Webb about any obligations that South Gloucestershire Council may have in the provision of allotments. He has written to the Council and will forward me the response. I note with interest in your letter that you have asked South Gloucestershire what land they own within the town. Did you receive a reply? Would you be able to make the reply publicly available?

It has also come to my attention that Thornbury Town Council has approached Alveston Parish Council about joint allotments. Is there a way that we can be kept up-to-date about this?

As I am not quite sure how the Town Council functions, I would like to know if writing to you is the appropriate vehicle for raising our concerns and having our questions answered, or should I send questions to someone in particular prior to an Environment Committee meeting and then attend the meeting for the answers?

We appreciate the enormous workload that obtaining additional allotments requires and appreciate your commitment to meeting the (often competing) needs of residents of Thornbury. Please be assured that we only wish to work with the Town Council on this important and timely matter and in no way want to make the process any more difficult than it needs to be. As I believe has been noted by the Environment Committee, Sustainable Thornbury is happy to administer (by setting up an appropriate body) any new allotments provided in Thornbury, as the Thornbury Town Trust has indicated they would not like to take on any additional allotments.

Please do contact me with any questions and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

11 September 2008

Dear all,

Lots to update you on, but for those of you who prefer a short version…

SUMMARY

1. South Gloucestershire Council replied to Steve Webb and acknowledged that the 1908 Act applies to them as well. They did, however, raise a number of issues which make it difficult for them to provide allotments.

2. Thornbury Town Council said that a piece of South Glos land was found, but it was deemed unsuitable due to lack of water.

3. Val Harding, our South Glos allotments contact, told us about a piece of South Glos land in Thornbury that was under consultation. It is agricultural land along Kington Lane, behind the High Street, next to Council car park. She suggested we send a "comment" to her, which she would then deliver.

4. We hand delivered the comment (rather lengthy!) to South Glos via Val, addressing their concerns (1 above).

5. We attended the Thornbury Town Council Environment Committee meeting, where they knew about this piece of land and were already planning to officially tell South Glos that they would like to lease it for allotment use! See Gazette article: [2]

(The piece of land in 2 above turns out to be the same land in 3 above. The Council agrees that lack of water should not be a factor in rejecting the land.)

6. And now we await South Glos' decision! If it's YES, then all the real fun begins… And we mean that seriously! We'll let you know as soon as we hear anything.

Thanks for helping us give evidence of demand…

And also thanks very much to Lara, Gill, Felicity and Howard for coming out to the Council meeting… And especially to Brett for all his research, time and enthusiasm!

fingers crossed, heather

P.S. I'll save the nitty gritty details for when they become relevant: which details are important will depend on the Council's decision, so I'll spare you all of them for now. :)

15 October 2008

Dear all,

Thank you to Brett, Felicity, Howard, Lara and Maggie for attending last night's Thornbury Town Council Environment Committee Meeting.

Earlier in the day yesterday, I heard from Val Harding that South Gloucestershire has not yet made a decision about the land and does not see this as a priority. A decision will probably not be made until after Christmas.

This was discussed last night and two councillors that are on both Thornbury Town Council and South Gloucestershire Council will chase this up to see if there is a way to get a decision sooner.

Meanwhile, there was no update on other pieces of land in Thornbury that the Town Council is investigating. The next Environment Committee Meeting is Tuesday 25th November at 7.30pm. Hopefully there will be update at that point.

Will keep you informed either way!

enjoying the drizzle, heather

17 January 2009

dear all,

apologies: typing with just one hand, holding the baby with the other…

1. this article in the gazette suggests that the thornbury sports clubs are buying land next to this leisure centre for additional facilities. however, we had been told the land next to the current allotments – with the xmas trees – was being used for that purpose. is this no longer the case? could it be used for allotments after all? this is confusing and we need clarification.

[3]

2. then this gazette article suggests that money is now an issue regarding "allotments development"… this is also confusing. we have outlined to south gloucestershire council that we would be happy to raise funds for new allotments. so it is unclear why this would delay allotment provision. even if the council's £2,000 short fall had been originally earmarked for allotments, we could easily raise that amount. also, why is it suggested that no money would be needed in the next 12 months anyway? why is this? does this mean we will not have the new allotments in 2009?

[4]

3. the next environment committee meeting is tuesday at 7.30pm in the town hall. they tend to make allotments the first item if we are there and so you'd be out of there by 8pm. i would suggest as many people as possible attend to get the matters cleared up. we are still waiting to hear about land the town council was exploring before the south glos land was suggested, as in sept, the committee members said they wouldn't be complacent about the south glos land. and, of course, we're still waiting to hear about the south glos land.

many thanks for your help and support heather

12 February 2009

dear all

to update you from last time…

the thornbury sport people are still planning to use the field next to the allotments

the town council is NOT reducing/eliminating funding for allotments (as we said we would raise any money anyway, if necessary)

the town council has run out of ideas for new allotment land in thornbury and has asked us for suggestions

so as not to duplicate efforts, i've asked the town clerk for copies of correspondence with landowners but have not heard back yet

south glos is waiting on the publication of its regional spatial strategy before making decisions on that kington lane land… councillors seem to think the strategy won't be out until after spring

will let you know as soon as i hear from the town clerk so we can collectively come up with ideas… if we haven't heard by tuesday, it's a good idea to attend the next environment committee meeting, tues night (17th) at 7.30pm to see what' happening with that…

all the best heather

28 February 2009

hello all

here is some information and a request from thornbury town council. let me know your ideas, and i'll pass them along. i will also put the request in thornbury magazine (april).

many thanks heather

FROM TOWN CLERK Please find below a list of all that have been contacted by this council with regard to land for allotments along with their response if any.

South Gloucestershire Council - As you must be aware we have registered an interest in the land st Stokefield Close and are awaiting a response from them. However this will not be forthcoming until the spring when the Spatial Strategy is published.

NFU Mutual, Mr A Murdoch - Mr Murdoch agreed to inform his members. The previous tenant of the land at Stokefield Close informed that the lease was due to end. Otherwise no other land owner came forward.

Mr Tuck, Crossways Farm - Not interested

Tesco Stores - The land between the store car park and Vilner Lane. The land was not available

Following the publication of 'Sustainable Food Growing Initiatives' as requested by your group we contacted the land owner of the old railway embankment who replied that it was an entrance to his property. He did inform that he had many years ago sold a piece of land on A38 which people had for a short time used as allotments but as it had been sold to some 58 individuals it was not possible to find the land owners. The farmer at Hacket Farm was obviously not interested as he didn't contact me as requested.

The Greys at Tytherington were contacted but it appears that through Tytherington Nursery they have allocated land on a private agreement for approximately 4 plots.

Both Town Council and Town Trust identified the land at the entrance to the Golf Club. Town Trust contacted the landowner who wasn't interested.

I hope this has been of some help to you. Please do inform me if your group have identified any other land and the outcome.

29 May 2009

Dear all,

Thanks to one of our members (Claire), the waiting list for Dagg's Allotments is now open!!! Ring Margaret Powell right now: 01454 281777

The list will not be open for long, and will not accommodate all 40 of you…

If you don't hear back from Margaret within 2 weeks, ring her again.

If she tells you the list is closed again, e-mail me so I can have an accurate indication of demand beyond the waiting list.

She won't tell me the new cut-off number but hopefully it will be made public after the list is closed.

We are still working hard on securing new land and hope that we can share Dagg's waiting list to populate the new allotments.

Let me know if you have any questions.

5 June 2009

Hi all

Someone was told on Monday that the list is now closed. If you did NOT get on the list, but DO want an allotment, let me know so that I can keep track of demand.

6 July 2009

Dear all

We have still hopeful that we will get the South Glos land for allotments but are awaiting confirmation, which could take a while…

Ideally we could share Dagg's waiting list…

I only heard from one person that they couldn't get on Dagg's list. Is this correct? You are NOT on the list unless she personally said you are. If you left a message and never heard back, you are NOT on the list. Margaret has asked that she no longer be phoned as the list is now closed.

Thanks and will keep you posted!