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20 years is long enough for disused allotments
October 1, 2008 11:52 AM
Councillor Colin Darracott examines the latest planning application for the site
October 1st marks the 20th anniversary of the day when local residents were evicted from their allotments on land at the end of Southbourne Gardens, Bath.
The land is privately owned and the owner wished to build on the allotments. There have been numerous applications to build but for all of those 20 years local residents have resisted them. Although the space is virtually inaccessible it is now subject to yet another in a long list of planning applications.
Liberal Democrat Councillors Colin Darracott and David Dixon (Walcot) are supporting Claremont Residents' Association (CRASS) members in their hope that the land could be returned to use as allotments. The Council knows that there is a very long list for local allotments and that plans to build can be rejected if old allotments are needed once again.
Councillor Colin Darracott said:
"This is a frustrating example of the public sector being unable to deliver. The point is simple: there is growing demand for allotments in the area, powers exist to acquire land or reject development, but owing to conflicting priorities, nothing is achieved."
A local resident added:
"We can't call this 20 year mark a celebration, because we still haven't got our allotments. This is private property and I understand that the Council has powers to acquire land for allotments. In view of the large demand for allotments and the modern emphasis on local food production we hope the Council will treat this as a priority."
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