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Allotments owner 'wants to sell protected site for flats'
Terry Kirby21.07.09
Worried: Don Fisher and Nic Vosper at Fortis Green Resevoir
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.
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.
Reader views (5)
Very important everyone fights this development - if this space goes it'll get harder to defend the next space under threat. Please check out the website www.savefortisgreenallotments.com.
- Rupert Lancaster, London, uk
So Thames Water are committed to sustainability and biodiversity are they? Well according to their web site they are anyway..... ahh that explains why they are also selling off 'green field' sites for development. Apparently their main commitment is to the sustainability of their shareholders.
How many burst water pipes do we have to pass that seem to take forever to get fixed as water is poured into the drainage system along with our water bills? Somehow their priorities seem to be a bit twisted.
Another asset to the community and the environment down the drain?!
- 'Disgusted' Of Muswell Hill, London
The availability of spare land set aside for Allotments was intended so that the poor could grow fruit and vegetables to provide for their families especially after the last World War. This land was not set aside for the purpose of self-profiteering as is this case.
If it is land you require for the building of new homes then you need to look at the superb example of the Hong Kong and China Government. There they have built an internationally famous Airport off of Hong Kong's coastline on rubbish waste from main land China. They have also built Mufti Million pound flats and condos with marinas which further increases the projects efficiency and capability of generating both wealth and land space, by simply utilising your resources.
We have a waste disposal problem so we are all told, so why not combine the two and Turn Junk into Billion Pound land Space for homes?
Instead of wasting good arable farming land for landfill sites and gravel extraction Use the waste to shore up our sea defenses which are eroding fast. Don't waste rubbish use it for good intent. Also Gravel Extraction from good arable farming land is irreversible destruction. Thus making the UK become more and more reliant on foreign imported foods which is an extremely bad policy
Signed Carl Barron Founder Chairman of agpcuk
- Carl Barron, Christchurch, Dorset
Tricky one - yes we need open spaces, but we also need more housing
- Very Very Angry At Paying Tax For Mp'S Expeses, Home Counties
What the hell is going on?, these guys are just motivated by money and greed, I am a Tory through and through, but never did take to privatising the utilities, this country is at the beck and call of these jumped up ********,and their shareholders, this land has been used by these allotment holders for many many years and it should stay that way, Thames Water should get back to cleaning the bloody drains, and maybe we shall have less floods!.
- David Crocket, Bradford , UK.
