Allotments Campaign gets Results
March 21, 2009 12:01 PM
Despite new tenancies this week, there's still a waiting list for allotments in Epsom and Ewell
Cllr Colin Taylor has confirmed that 39 new allotments were let by the borough council last week after a Lib Dem campaign to publicise the long waiting list and the shortage of sites.
The council has created some new plots on existing sites and issued stiff warning letters to tenants who don't cultivate their plots. Tenants with more than two allotments have received a year's notice (in accordance with the tenancy agreement) that these will be re-let.
Lib Dem councillors have also made it clear to developers of large sites that they will expect an area for allotments to be included. Colin Taylor now wants the council to explore what other land, already in its ownership, could reasonably be turned over to allotments.
Cllr Taylor said "The new system seems to be working well. How splendid that these new tenants have such lovely weather to begin their cultivation. I really have to commend borough council officers for coming up with some very good ideas about how to deal with the waiting list - and of course the council's Leisure Committee for taking such prompt action to address the shortage of allotments."
In his role as the local county councillor, Colin Taylor is also working alongside Cllrs Alison Kelly and Charles Wood to get some progress on bringing the disused Stones Road allotment site back into a usable state. The problems over these allotments are complex and sadly they are unlikely to become available for use until Surrey County Council puts sufficient effort into addressing issues on the adjacent travellers' site.