Topic ID 752
Does anyone know of any plans to build on these allotments? A friend of mine has tried to get an allotment there for the past six months and has been fobbed off even though over half of the allotments are abandoned and wild. I have heard rumours, that if this happens the council could have got other plans for that land.
Reply ID 7996
We looked into this some years back when they were all taken. It would be interesting to know the councils current stance.
Reply ID 8005
It is unlikely, well neigh totally improbable that anyone would be allowed to develop allottment land for housing. I was publicly villified and hung out to dry for daring to suggest that a 3 metre strip of land on the Frampton Street allotments currently partially overrun by weeds should be given over to parking. One of the problems is that allotments are owned by the Town Council - but discussions are in place to transfer management to alottment societies - and people rent a plot, never to return to work it. So many look overrun and not used which is frustrating for the plot owner next door who has to contend with someone else's weeds as well as their own. There is a huge waiting list for allotments which could be eased if the people who can't be bothered to work them were to give them up.
Reply ID 8006
I lived on Waterdale about 15 years ago and there was a piece of land cut back and marked out for building, with yellow planning form on the telegraph post, along side the alotments near the river and houses. It stayed like that for years and was never built on, so..............
Reply ID 8025
Is that not a flood plain there ?
Reply ID 8027
I think maybe the other side of the river is, this plot was the same side as the houses on Waterdale. Millmead way is built on flood plain so........
Reply ID 8041
I would love to believe that being on a flood plain was an obstacle to building, but alas, I can never be that sure.
Reply ID 8043
Taking my daughter to the small playground near the Cromwell Road allotments a couple of months ago I saw a couple of surveyor types with maps/plans walking around said allotments. Could fit a lot of houses on those allotments but these are probably flood plain too?
Reply ID 8088
At a conference I was at today, it was mentioned that in one of the broadsheets there was an extensive article about the government's intention to use allotments for building. As my friend has waited unsuccessfully for months for his, when there are many unloved and wild allotments.... I can only assume that this is a result of:- a. Inefficiency in the council..... (I will dismiss that thought immediately) or b. They have other ideas for that land. Does anyone know of anybody else who has tried to get an allotment int he Hertford area? I would like to know if it is just these allotments, or allotments in general.
Reply ID 8089
There were definitely allotments available on North Road and at Sele just under a year ago - I was offered one at both.
Reply ID 8091
I've been a plot holder up at Hertingfordbury for a couple of years now, never had any problem getting one there. Of all the sites, only Cromwell Road and Hertingfordbury were without waiting lists at the time I applied.
Reply ID 8547
quote:Is the transfer of allotments to socities a good or bad thing? I read today that an allotment society in Nottingham has been offered 7m by a property developer. The covenant preventing development of the land could very possibly be overturned. Is the land safer with the Council? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2005/07/11/dl1102.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/07/11/ixhome.html
Originally posted by sloopjohnb
...discussions are in place to transfer management to alottment societies...
Reply ID 8551
This has parallels with the demutualisation of the building societies. I was against that and I'd also be against the selling off of allotments as well. There is clearly a demand for them so they should be retained.
Reply ID 8558
Legislation provides that every council must provide allotments for its residents. However, this doesn't prevent the building on allotment land if there is not the demand for it (i.e. plots lay empty). However, it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for a council to sell allotments for development if there is a waiting list. If you have concerns about this, I advise visiting http://www.allotments-uk.com/ Also, a council would be highly negligent to pass ownership of allotments to an allotment society (and leaving the members free to cash in on a huge sale price) without retaining a covenant to prevent development. This would leave the council in the position to make a profit should the land be sold as well as the allotment society. It is, overall, unlikely that allotments will be built on, but who knows whilst John Prescott is about!