Notes from Allotment holders meeting 19th January 2012

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Published on Tuesday, 28 February 2012 16:15

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Notes from the allotment holders’ meeting on 19^th January 2012, 7.30pm in the Village Hall,

Present: Cllr. John Ferguson, Cllr. Claire Penfold, Clerk Sarah Smart.

Allotment holders present: Mrs Squire, Jan Grieve, Margaret Cropper, Mr Ernie Monger, Mr Mike Reed, Mr Robert Kerswell, Becky Kirby, Mrs Helen Keene.

This was a special meeting of the current allotment holders to explain the layout of the proposed new site on the land near Bullsdown Farm, owned by the Borough Council. These discussions were very helpful to the Parish Council in the planning stages of this project.

The following comments were made:

Sheds and other storage structures would not be required, as they encourage vandalism and theft.

Rabbit/Fox proof fences would be appreciated to protect crops.

Plots would not necessarily need to be the full 10 rods as the current site does not allow cultivation on the full plot due to sloping of some of the ground and shading from overhanging trees, so some loss of space would not be too detrimental.

The rents were considered to be very reasonable and it was felt that a small increase would be ok in order to benefit from new facilities.

It was explained that the current plot holders would be able to state their preference and that provided they were not one of the few plots being given notice to allow for the burial ground extension, they could decide whether to stay on or relocate to the new site.

A few tenants at the current site expressed a desire to stay if possible, even if they moved down the site to a plot vacated by somebody preferring to relocate.

It was explained that after all the current plot holders have been allocated their plots, those people still on the waiting list would be able to take up any vacancies at either site, on the understanding that at some point in the long-term future the remainder of the plots behind the burial ground may be taken over for further extensions.

A water supply was considered an important provision. Toilets were considered an unnecessary expense and maintenance concern as there has been no concern about toilet facilities in the past.

Quality top soil would be desirable.

Typically between 3-6 cars use the car park at the current site.

It was noted that some of the plots on the current site are shared on an informal basis between 2-3 people, and that a reduced size might not provide enough produce to support this number of people.

It was agreed that once the new site was up and running it would be nice to develop a supportive atmosphere and perhaps a mentoring scheme could be initiated so that experienced plot holders may be able to pass on knowledge and advice to less experienced growers.

It was confirmed that the selling of produce from allotment gardens is not allowed, but informal arrangements to swap crops between friends would not be a cause for concern.

It was noted that dog walkers would be consulted, but that the current plans enabled dog walkers to continue using a route within the space, and other nearby dog walking areas are also available.