http://www.allotment.org.uk/garden-diar ... t-act-now/John Harrison, http://www.allotment.org.uk/ wrote:Allotments could be facing a major problem. The government has decided to undertake a “Review of statutory duties” with the aim of reducing the burden on local authorities. ... [it is] considering removing the statutory duty to provide sufficient number of allotments for people in the area who want one.
The link is to a site for allotmenteers, so allotments being a good thing is taken for granted. I'm guessing most readers of this forum would agree, but in case anyone is in any doubt, come down to Kent House Leisure Gardens Open Day, May 22nd - http://www.khlga.com/ - sorry for shameless plug.
More cynically, just think how tempting it might be for cash strapped local councils to sell off allotment land they own for housing, if this statutory duty is removed.
More idealistically, allotments provide not only healthy outdoor recreation which appeals to people from all walks of life, but they also provide a healthy balance between letting individuals get on quietly doing their own thing, and coming together to deal with communal aspects of allotmenting. Many allotment sites in recent years have started to call themselves 'Leisure Gardens', as we have, recognising the wish of many individuals not just to grow vegetables, but to create a peaceful space with maybe flowers and a bit of lawn.
They are still legally allotments, and they work because rights and responsibilities are securely defined by law - so please don't let this legal basis be undermined.
You can email your comments to: burdens@communities.gsi.gov.uk or write to them on paper
Review of Statutory Burdens Team
Department for Communities and Local Government
3/H6 Eland House
Bressenden Place
London SW1E 5DU
You should also write to your MP – there’s a great site to help you here: WriteToThem - http://www.writetothem.com/
Look at the Government’s web page on "Review of statutory duties placed on local government". - http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgove ... oryduties/ - Then fill in the “Statutory duties webform” which is in the top right-hand corner. The webform is a bit confusing, so here are some model answers which you can use - http://hollinlaneallotments.org/news-an ... l-answers/