Kitchen Garden Forum

I can't but help to notice that some enlightened thinking still exists from those with influence, some extracts produced below:

We recommend that the main restrictions of the use of allotments contained in national legislation should be repealed.

In particular, decisions over:

• the uses to which plots may be put, particularly with regard to flower growing;
• commercial use with regard to site shops and the sale of surplus produce; and
• the keeping of livestock

6.The present legislation already enables some limited commercial activity to take place on allotments, but primary legislation would be required to allow commercial use to be greater

In order to read the extracts in context please see the report in the link.

http://www.townham.org.uk/allotment/dat ... tments.pdf

Barney

Hi Barney, a very interesting document.

To my mind there must be a shift from the standard 10sq rod size, (about 300 sq. yds) which was originally intended for the working man to grow enought food to feed his family, and bearing in mind that at that time families of 8 - 10 children was the norm. (No T.V. in those days). It's time that Councils / allotment societies made more, smaller plots of say 70 - 100 sq. yards available to those who wish to enjoy some fresh food without becoming a slave to the land. There should also be a move to provide, at rental, of course, some central secure lock-ups for tools and equipment to avoid the blight of dozens of tumble-down sheds, shacks and other ramshackle buildings on so many plots.

a-a

Hi Adam

I'm pleased that you found the link interesting, I did as well. I agree that the original reason for allotments has now time expired (probably decades ago). Changes including more flexibility of use ( and good-bye to the "you can't do that, its not in the rules" attitude that still prevails) should be introduced to cater for the needs of today's allotmenters.

Barney