A Whiteshill resident inquired about whether there are allotments available - this Blog answer grew much longer than I intended - but hope it is useful for future queries on this - and possibly lead to a discussion on how we could take this forward?
In Stroud District all allotments are managed by Town and Parish Councils. Each allotment authority decides for itself how much of its resources to devote to allotments. However, if an authority believes there is a demand, it has a statutory duty to provide a sufficient quantity of plots and to lease them to people living in its area. If local people feel there is a need for allotments which is not being met, they can get together a group of any six residents who are registered on the electoral roll and put their case to the local authority.
Further information and publications including ‘Allotments: A plot holders’ guide’ can be found on The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister’s website - see:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1127689
Local Government Guide re allotments:
http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/allotments/index.htm
Cainscross Parish has probably the closest allotments - or Stroud Town Council have some near Stratford Park road - contact their offices for further info. However I know from work with Cainscross Parish Plan that there is a waiting list for any allotments that might reappear at the old Cashes Green hospital site. Infact demand is returning in many areas and is likely to increase further as the benefits of allotments are rediscovered - community cohesiveness, healthy activities, educational purposes, a sustainable food supply - and in urban areas they are often particularly prized by communities for their access to wildlife and open spaces.
In this world where we face climate change and oil running out, having an allotment/growing our own food is possibly one of the most important moves we can make. Our current food supplies are wholly unsustainable, built as they are on fossil fuels. Some 40% of freight on our roads is estimated to be food, apples are flown in from New Zealand and beans from Zimbabwe, supermarket packaging - we know all this and more - plus the impact of fertilisers and pesticides which require huge amounts of oil to make - organic arable can be 35% more energy efficient while dairy 74% more efficient!
Catch if you can a new series on BBC Radio 4: 'Driven by oil' was last night and the first of four programmes on the subject. 'When Will The Tap Run Dry?' Tom Mangold explored the biggest debate facing the oil industry today - will we run out of oil, and if so, when? You can listen again to this online (usually on BBC website for at least a week):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/progs/listenagain.shtml
This issue is still being ignored by other political parties yet the evidence about oil reaching it's Peak is growing not just within the oil industry - other countries are streets ahead - Sweden is aiming to be free of oil dependence by 2020. Read Michael Meacher on the subject:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1331&Itemid=106
So what about allotments in Whiteshill? Or Ruscombe and Randwick for that matter?
Firstly is there land available that is suitable? Allotments can lead to urbanisation of areas but can also have restrictions put on them limiting what can be done. Secondly what about cost? The price of even agricultural land has rocketed. And third is there a demand? I reckon so, but assessing the extent could be something for a Parish Plan in Whiteshill - in a quick glance at Randwick's Parish Plan there doesn't seem to be a mention.
Demand is often there - in Lincolnshire last year 60 plots went in minutes:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lincolnshire/4525021.stm
And what about other options?
Clearly finding a neighbours garden or other arrangement is not necessarily satisfactory. Box delivery schemes and Farmers Markets are great for local food but are not the same as growing your own.
Another possible option might be a Community Farm Land Trust - these are primarily for the purpose of sustainable agriculture and horticulture, controlled by and for the benefit of local communities. Would a local land-owner be interested? See my Blog re Community Land Trusts on 8th July for more on this.
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2 comments:
You mention that the price of agricultural land has rocketed. Do you have any idea why this might be the case, given that we are so often hearing about the troubles farmers have in making a living. Could it be there is some speculatory element, whereby people are anticipating possible future change of use and development for housing?
My view about allotments is that there should be lots of them, not necessarily very large, but close and convenient to the people who manage the allotments, to minimise the use of cars being driven to such places.
Totally agree - need lots more allotments - as for land - yes indeed some aspects of price rises in this area are related to hopes of the land one day being developed - I don't think that is a reality - but the Ruscombe Valley Action Group of which I am a member will need to remain vigilant. Other reasons for the rise relates to increases in wealth amongst some sections of the population, an increased interest in the environment, more people keeping horses - most of the local land sales are for horses while owning a piece of woodland has gained hugely in popularity over recent years - perhaps a desire to reconnect with nature in this busy, crazy world in which we live....other thoughts?
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