Chairman's Letters to Romsey Advertiser
The Editor
Romsey Advertiser,
21a Market Place,
ROMSEY
SO51 8NA.
Dear Sir,
Allotments – Still time to object
I should like to publicly thank the many people who, although not being allotment holders, have told us they support our objections to the allotments being included in the TVBC Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment. Some have also written to TVBC to express their concerns and it is not too late for those who still want to make themselves heard, as TVBC have extended their deadline to 20th November.
The view common to all is that the allotments are a valued and valuable community asset that must be excluded from future development plans and even the statement released by TVBC, under Caroline Nokes’ name, appears to suggest that TVBC agree with that. The question must be, why then were the allotments included in the SHLAA document at all?
Their inclusion is surprising as TVBC indicate their existing strategies and policies mean they have excluded Public Open Spaces and Community Facilities when compiling the SHLAA but surely the allotments qualify on both counts. Secondly, the SHLAA shows a shortfall of 2294 homes from the Government target of 3920 homes in Southern Test Valley, after those on completed and deliverable sites are discounted, but then goes on to identify sites able to accommodate four times that number (9958 actually). As the allotment site only provides 150 of these homes (less than 2% of the total) there was no real need to include them as plenty of alternatives exist.
TVBC seem determined to covet the allotments site for development at regular intervals but it is not a derelict, neglected and unproductive parcel of land that needs to be improved but one that is actively used for leisure and recreation. Why not accept that and zone it accordingly as agricultural land reserved for leisure use. Action not words is needed from TVBC if they really feel allotments are important.
Yours faithfully
John Blackmore
Chairman
Romsey Allotment Holders Association
The Editor
Romsey Advertiser,
21a Market Place,
ROMSEY
SO51 8NA
Allotments Under Threat Again
Another AGM, a new Chairman and yet nothing changes as we face the renewed threat of development of our allotments at
It seemed that the Council had seen sense by excluding the allotments site from inclusion in the Whitenap housing expansion in their Core Strategy Development Plan. However, the requirement to withdraw and rewrite this plan has now seen the allotments included in a list of possible development sites in the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment document which is available for public comment until 6th November.
There are 150 members of our Association which, with the inclusion of family and friend helpers, means there are over 300 Romsey people actively cultivating this excellent agricultural land, as has been done for over 100 years, and we still have a waiting list. We also aim to promote local production of food within the Romsey area as demonstrated by the variety of produce displayed on our stand at Romsey Show.
The TVBC Green Spaces Strategy for 2007-2017 stated “Allotments can be vibrant community spaces that offer a good physical workout while providing healthy, fresh and very affordable foods” and also said they wanted to increase the provision of allotments and advocated including them in new housing developments. We endorse these sentiments that TVBC appear to have now forgotten and feel these allotments play an important part in supporting community life today and future generations by providing a “green lung” on the edge of town.
We ask that anyone who feels that allotments are important write to TVBC with their views before the 6th November deadline.
Yours faithfully
John Blackmore
Chairman
Romsey Allotment Holders Association