15/11/12…..Allotment holders’ ‘Freedom of Information’ request

THAME allotment holders, seeking reassurance about the security of their plots, applied to Thame Town Council under the Freedom of Information legislation, for clarification as to the legal status of the town’s allotments.

As a result, it has been confirmed that the allotments, which are owned by the town council, are in fact ‘statutory’. The designation of a local authority site as ‘temporary’ or ‘statutory’ is important since, under section 8 of the Allotments Act 1925, a local authority must seek permission from the Secretary of State before selling or changing the use of a ‘statutory’ site. The local authority must satisfy the Secretary of State that adequate provision has been made for allotment holders who are displaced by the sale of the site.

Some Thame allotment holders of the Stones Close plots, fear that the area could be swallowed up in any future housing development in the area.

The legislation is currently being reviewed and it is expected that allotment holders will in the future be consulted about any disposal plans.

The proposed Thame Neighbourhood plan designates the allotments as Open Space which the town council says should give them some protection.

Photo courtesy of Thame Town Council: Mr Chris Majkut digs his allotment at Stones Close, Thame.