Last year I wrote to The Village, to highlight the lack of allotment provision in Alvechurch.
At the time, I was unsure whether I was alone on this matter or whether there was common interest. I was pleasantly surprised to read replies sent in from other interested parties; confirming this issue was worth pursuing.
I wrote to Bromsgrove District Council earlier this year to determine why no allotment space was available within Alvechurch. The response from Mr Rob Heard, Parks & Recreational Development Manager, was disappointing.
He stated that Bromsgrove District Council was unaware of any such interest and, worse still, went on to state that there were no future plans for such a provision.
I don’t know how others feel but this response surprises me. I had been led to believe that the requirement for allotment space had been identified within the future parish plans, following consultation with local residents and not Bromsgrove council officials.
I now understand that if there is sufficient demand (six or more residents), there is a statutory duty on the Local Authority to consider provision for allotments (Small Holdings & Allotment Act, 1908 & Allotments Act 1925); I strongly recommend that any interested parties write to Mr Heard at Bromsgrove District Council, to notify of common interest.
K Thornton
Alvechurch