Save Our Open Space

Response to the Wimpey Planning Application (September 2001)

Allotments and The Future

Current and future demand

Contrary to the views expressed in the Boyer planning statement there is suppressed and un-met demand for allotments locally. The demand has been suppressed by restrictions placed on the waiting list arrangements (see Appendix 4 for details). If the land were made available for letting and waiting list restrictions lifted, the demand would appear to increase. Only three years ago 141 plots were 80% let with no advertising, minimal maintenance and a history of neglect. Demographic factors mean that there are increasing numbers of people of retirement age locally – much of the nearby housing was built in the 1960s and 70s. There is a growing population due to many infill developments. People have smaller gardens; there is an increasing interest in diet, healthy life-styles, exercise and food.

Demand for allotments is therefore likely to have risen in the past three years. Three years ago 121 plots were let yet now only 89 can be let after ‘rationalisation’. It would be reasonable to restore availability to at least the take-up level of three years ago.

Demand for allotments is related to the quality of sites available. Experience over the last three years has shown the significant site improvements that can be effected quickly. These improvements help in establishing a virtuous circle of success and popularity. If the land were released for letting, similar improvements could be made to those already achieved on the remaining allotments; the plots would be attractive and letting restored to previous levels.

The Local Government Association is of the view that:

‘there is going to be an increased demand for allotment provision over a ten-year period.’

Inadequacy of alternative local sites

Oaktree Road has few vacancies. There are some at Scours Lane (in Battle ward) but there are security problems. Furthermore plots need to be accessible on foot or by bicycle. Scours Lane is too far from the main catchment area of the allotments and so is inconvenient. Distance also makes it difficult to make appropriate net contributions to sustainability targets – any reductions in energy consumption through savings on food transportation, packaging etc. would be offset by fuel consumption.

Local Policy Key 2A CONSERVATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES :

The Council will seek to ensure that development proposals maintain and enhance the natural environment for future generations by the conservation of energy and other natural resources and the enhancement where possible of natural environmental assets. It will attach particular importance to the need to conserve existing areas of open space into public use and ownership whenever it is feasible.

Flexible provision

A memorandum by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1998) suggests that:

‘more detailed examination at a local level may reveal ways to make more efficient use of existing allotment land, for instance by making areas into open space for periods of time and converting them back to allotments as required.’

Interest in allotments seems to go in cycles. PPG 12 advises that:

‘Those impacts on the environment which may be irreversible or very difficult to undo, should be treated with particular care.’

PPG 12 gives priorities that are all

‘ to do with enhancing the quality of life and public health’ It also explains that "increased public awareness is coupled with strong evidence of the value that people place on the environment – for example, clean air and water, nature and landscape conservation…. Attention must also be given to the interests of future generations’.

Community benefits

Allotments provide recreation for gardeners that include healthy exercise as well as mental and spiritual regeneration. Fresh air and home-grown produce can be enjoyed together with comradeship and community spirit. Various groups can benefit from allotments/community gardens including the unemployed, old age pensioners, people with learning disabilities or mental health problems, and families. Allotments support balanced development of towns. They can promote the ‘well-being’ both of individuals and local communities. They can contribute to local government ‘community strategies’ as required under the Local Government Act 2000. Angela Eagles, then Under-Secretary of State, said,

"I believe that the potential for community involvement in allotments is very great and is scarcely tapped."

There is great potential for educational and improved community use of the land and with sensitive management alternatives to building could be pursued. A number of possibilities have already been suggested and these could be actively researched once the threat of housing development has been overcome.