Allotments owner 'wants to sell protected site for flats'

A group of allotment holders claimed today there are plans to sell their site to developers, even though it has been cultivated by local people for nearly a century.

Plot holders at Fortis Green Reservoir Allotments, in the borough of Haringey, say potential buyers are being given a plan showing 50 houses and flats on the site - despite it being significant local open land, protecting it from large-scale development.

They believe the site's owner, Thames Water, is aiming to attract interest by suggesting a buyer could challenge the designation, although Thames Water says it is committed to sustainability and biodiversity.

Roger May, chairman of the allotment association, said: "We are determined to expose what Thames Water are up to. Instead of paving over the land we want to see more allotments there, with more local people able to make the most of this precious asset."

The Government and London Mayor Boris Johnson are backing allotments as a resource for city-dwellers, and the Standard has also launched a campaign to encourage Londoners to Grow Your Own. There is a huge demand for allotments, with some waiting lists extending to 30 years.

Haringey council estimates it needs space for 1,500 more plots by 2016. Some of the 21 plot holders at Fortis Green have grown fruit and vegetables for 30 years, and there have been allotments on the site since the Twenties.

The association claims that King Sturge, the auctioneer acting for Thames Water, is offering potential buyers an architect's sketch showing up to 50 homes on the site. The council describes the area, which is due to be auctioned in October, as an "allotments site". The allotment holders say Thames Water, which is owned by Australian investment bank Macquarie and is under pressure to maximise its assets, has prevented wider use of the site by limiting the number of plots.

They also believe that encouraging potential buyers to challenge planning restrictions could have a wider impact on other protected green spaces.

Nic Vosper, the association secretary, said: "We've already had a huge amount of support from the local community. We want to develop the allotments as a community asset, not just in the short term but for future generations."

Martin Newton, a Haringey Liberal Democrat councillor, said: "The allotments and open space are a valued resource for the local community and for wildlife and there must be a long-term commitment from the council to protect this asset from development."

Thames Water said it was "highly likely" the site would remain as allotments. "When selling surplus assets we have a duty to our customers to get the best price. Indicative plans for development of this site were drawn up in the past but a decision was taken not to apply for planning permission because it was highly unlikely to be approved," said a spokeswoman.