the newly released Featherstone master plan shows the alotments becoming housing. WMDC would have to give 12 months notice before eviction giving enough time to act
. the goverment have this to say,
Government policy dictates that Allotments come under the Biodiversity and
Conservation umberella. This is because in many areas Allotments are
land-locked and are seen as islands or what is known as 'Patches'. They are
the only areas which are seen to enhance and maintain populations of Fawna
and Flora which need to be preserved for the survival of mankind. i.e. We
cannot live without beetles.
Under the present circumstances the Scientists are advocating the creation
of 'Green Corridors'. For over 50 years the insect population has been
overlooked. One of the main problems which decades of planning has caused
is fragmentation of 'Patches' thereby causing isolated populations which are
too small to survive. Hence the lack of Butterflies because the populations
which survive are too far apart.
With regard to Wakefield District, Wakefield M.D.C. does not have a
Biodiversity Officer and they would appear to have little understanding of
Biodiversity and Conservation problems.
When filling in any application where green space is involved be mindful
that Wakefield will rob Peter to pay Paul.
One of the main problems with the Olympics Sites are the Allotments which
will be lost. Because the Biodiversity can never recover once the habitat
has gone.
in english this means that alotments are being counted as green space when considering planning applications. for every home built there has to be so much recreation land. WMDCs plan contradicts its masters.
As for Featherstone we have Roy to thank for finding a lovely loop hole. When the Featherstone urbane council gave all its assets to WMDC it also gave its allotments. This should not have been done. The rent received should have gone to Featherstone town council. Unfortunately this was labour run and they were never going to rock the boat. Now the fault has been found and gone through the many channels it looks now like the allotments will come back under town council control. The big bonus looks likely to be that some back rent will also be given and probably looks enough to produce a major revamp.
At last weeks town council meeting the matter was raised. The independents said yes, labour said no. what do you think?
