Secretary of State Rejects Labour's Manchester Allotment Sell-Off!
November 21, 2007 1:03 PM
Manchester Labour are Targeting Green Spaces for Property Development
Manchester Liberal Democrats have welcomed Government's rejection of Manchester City Council's application to dispose of the allotment site at Edge Lane in East Manchester. In a damning decision letter issued this week, the Council's case was dismissed on all counts, in a stunning victory for allotment and green space campaigners across Manchester.
Despite opposition from allotment campaigners and Manchester Liberal Democrats, the Labour-run Council controversially decided in October 2006 to sell Edge Lane allotment to the highest bidder for more housing. To sell the land, the Council needed special permission from the Government, by showing that the allotment is "surplus to requirements". But Manchester's allotmenteers, known as AMAS (Association of Manchester Allotment Societies), wrote to the Government to object, as they felt that the Council had failed to promote the allotment and couldn't show that it was "surplus to requirements".
In a long-awaited decision, published this week, the Government have rejected the Council's bid to dispose of the allotment. Lib Dem Deputy Leader Councillor Paul Shannon, who fought the proposed sell-off, is delighted by the news:
"This is a victory for the environment and for common sense. The Council's case just didn't stack up. There are over 600 people in Manchester waiting for an allotment, so Labour's decision to push through the sell-off of 88 plots at Edge Lane was inexplicable. They refused to consider any compromise proposals. Labour's pig-headed determination to flog green space in Manchester has now been stopped in its tracks."
Councillor Shannon continued:
"I would like to pay tribute to AMAS, who have staunchly defended Manchester's allotments, despite years of Council neglect. They have helped preserve precious green space for future generations."
"I am now calling on the Council to bring back plans to enhance Edge Lane allotments, as well as for investment in other allotment sites such as Ryder Brow, Ackroyd Avenue and Phillips Park."
Councillor Paul Shannon concluded:
"The Labour Party in Manchester are too close to property developers, as they have accepted nearly thirty thousand pounds in donations from various developers."
"Manchester's green open spaces are therefore not safe in the hands of this Labour Council. They are promoting unsustainable development all over Manchester. I want Manchester to be Britain's Greenest City, but it's not going to happen if Labour continue to sell off or develop our open spaces. That's why Manchester Liberal Democrats oppose Labour's allotment sell-offs."
"This wonderful decision gives hope to other "green space" campaigners across Manchester, such as residents and campaigners in Didsbury who are opposing Labour's sell-off plans in Marie Louise Gardens. "
End
Manchester Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Councillor Paul Shannon spoke out against the proposed sell-off at full Council, Executive Committee and Scrutiny Committee. He also wrote to the Government Office of the North West to oppose the Council's application to dispose of the Edge Lane allotment site.
Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Hazel Blears MP issued her long-awaited decision on 19th November 2007:
"the Secretary of State is not satisfied that the allotments are surplus to requirement and are not necessary."
"the Secretary of State is of the view that there is a demand for allotment plots which will be exacerbated if the Edge Lane site is disposed of."
"the Secretary of State is not satisfied that there will be adequate provision for all the displaced plot holders."
"The Secretary of State is also not satisfied that the Council has actively promoted and publicised the availability of plots at Edge Lane"
"The Secretary of State therefore considers that the loss of this valuable allotment site is not justified whilst a significant demand exists in the area and across the whole of Manchester. Accordingly, the Secretary of State refuses consent to the disposal of the land"
"A copy of this letter has been sent to the Societies mentioned above and to Councillor Paul Shannon who all made representations against the proposals."
http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/602680_blow_to_allotments_campaigners
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