Allotments 4 All - News
26/11/07
Facilities at Wycombe Road allotments have been improved as part of an
agreement with developers, Bramall Construction, part of the Keepmoat
Group.
The company has built a new toilet block at the allotment as part of
the deal when the company bought some of the site for development.
Cllr Andy Connelly, Cabinet lead for culture said: "We are delighted
that this agreement with Bramall Construction has helped us to improve
facilities for allotment users".
The council’s allotment manager Vince Edwards said: "Bramall was
working on part of the site and we approached them to see if they
could help improve the facilities for allotment users.
Bramall came up trumps. Not only have they designed and built the new
toilets, but have also resurfaced the access road and paid for other
improvements which will greatly benefit the allotment holders".
Bernard Cox, senior projects manager at Bramall said: "I hope the
facilities that we’ve provided will encourage people to use the
allotments for many years to come. I’m really pleased that Bramall
have been able to help out".
The council sold a small section of Wycombe Road allotment site as
part of its allotment strategy. The strategy aimed to reduce vacancy
rates at allotments, and enable facilities to be improved.
Allotment Award
A CITY allotment site that had faced closure because of its high vacancy rates has picked up a national award in recognition of the improvements made there.
The Civic Trust has awarded the prestigious Green Pennant to New Parks Allotment Society for its site on Stokes Drive. The society is the only one in Leicestershire to ever receive such an award.
Supported by the city council, the society has opened up the site to local people by installing a community building, putting in raised beds for use by people with disabilities, and working with nearby
schools and a local residential home.
Mr Barry Claricoates, secretary of the society said: "When the council first began reviewing its allotment provision in 1996, we were looking at closure because of lack of interest in the allotments. But with the aid of the council and an active and supportive community, we’ve now
got a full site and a waiting list. "Our community allotment pavilion provides somewhere for community
groups to meet and also enjoy allotment gardening activities. And we’ve put in wheelchair access and disabled toilets which mean less-able gardeners have full access to our site".
Council leader Ross Willmott, said: "This site has been completely transformed over the past years, to the benefit of the whole community, and is well-deserving of its Green Pennant award. "The city council is investing more than £1 million in allotments over the next three years, which is opening up more sites to local communities. "The sale of surplus sites is also benefiting the city in other ways,
including releasing land for an extra care housing scheme which is being built in Humberstone".
The Green Pennant award is a national award that recognises high quality green spaces in England and Wales that are managed by voluntary and community groups. It’s part of the Green Flag Award scheme, the national standard for quality parks and green spaces.