I donated this morning to the Farm Terrace Allotments Fighting Fund. Here's why in the Campaign's own words:
Farm Terrace Allotment site Watford has existed since 1896.
It stands in the centre of the hugely urbanized town of Watford. An oasis in an
Urban Jungle. However we are in the middle of a bitter war with our council and
central government who want to build housing on our site. This is becoming an
epidemic, as more and more councils see selling off precious allotment sites as
a way of generating cash. Since 2007 there have been 132 separate applications
to close down allotments under section 8 of the 1925 Allotments Act. Out of
these 132 applications 97% were approved (128 cases) and only 4 cases refused.
Plot holders feel powerless to protest about these closures because the
government have such power – until now.
Our case shows that the Secretary of State has not applied
his policy lawfully and we are going to take legal action to prove it! If we
win, not only will we save farm terrace but we will strike a blow for the
protection of allotments all over England as it will make it much harder for
them to be developed on! As far as we are aware no decision to close an allotment site
has been legally challenged before and if won would be referred to in future
allotment closure applications.
Leading counsel who specialises in public law has advised
that the Secretary of State’s decision is unlawful! Following this advice we
have decided to challenge his disturbing decision in court but to do this we
desperately need your help.
We need to raise money quickly to prove that we can fund our
case. The British Government knows this and as they have shown this by agreeing
to the change of use of the land even though we met all the criteria to keep it
as an allotment. They didn’t take us seriously then so let’s make them take
notice of us now!
Please donate as much as you can, we believe that if all our
supporters gave only £10.00 each we could reach our goal very quickly. We need
to do this very soon or our window of opportunity to bring it to Judicial
Review will close.
If we do not raise enough money to go ahead, or if we raise
more money than we need, all donations will be divided between various
charities and other environmental and allotment campaigns - which have yet to be decided, unless you indicate
that you would prefer your donation to be returned to you when you donate. If
you do ask for this, we will be in touch to return your donation should we not
use it in pursuing this legal challenge.
The allotment movement came out of a belief that everyone
should have the possibility to grow their own produce near to their homes.
Historically allotments are intrinsically part of the British landscape and
British tradition. We believe in democratic decisions, and allotments are still
needed now, more than ever. If all allotment holders keep quiet
and do not stand up and be counted alongside us it is our very real fear that
allotments will, in the very near future, be assigned to the history books.
Please help Save Farm Terrace. Please help save ALL allotments.
DONATE HERE
