TDBC are currently reviewing their policy on the provision of allotments within there area.

The plan is to have it fully in place to cover the period from 2010-2015.

They have drafted and are circulating there strategy document to interested parties. The final meeting for the drafting committee is on 7th November 2009. Provided there are no serious objections the document will then go to the elected rep for ratification.

TDBC are only responsible for the Deane. Parish Councils are responsible for their parishes.

The document is 44 pages and takes a bit of reading. I have been asked to do an overview and highlight what I consider the principle issues.

If anyone has any questions please contact me (robrawle@talktalk.net).  If I can’t answer them I sure I will find some one who can.

THE AIMS

The council’s aims are very simple. Everyone in Taunton Deane who wishes to grow vegetables and fruit on an allotment should have the opportunity to do so at the earliest opportunity and within a reasonable distance of their homes

HOW DO WE DO IT

Various group and government agencies are providing information and guidance. They are too numerous to name. One of the pressure groups is the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners (NSALG).They represent the allotment section and are also sitting on the drafting committee.

Their survey in 1997 showed that we are losing 9,400 allotments a year and waiting list has doubled since 1970. These trends are confirmed in a report by the University of Derby in 2007. Derby’s report gave the bench mark figure of 9 plots per thousand populations

TDBC are currently below this level. They have land available and want to bring two more sites in use following approval of the document by the full council.

Making the land available is one thing, bringing it into being is another. A poster campaign will be launched along with radio and local papers assess the demand. There is a large latent demand as well. This is not just people on waiting list but people who haven’t bothered as they feel there is no chance of getting one. Once the numbers are known we can then progress onto bringing the sites into use.

If you are keen to get growing please register your interest and let the Council know by emailing  leisure.development@tauntondeane.gov.uk and including your postcode, whether your interested as a family, a couple or an individual and giving a brief outline of why you would like an allotment.

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