John Leech takes fight for allotments to the Commons
November 4, 2008 5:26 PM
Originally published by John Leech, MP for Manchester Withington
Originally published by John Leech, MP for Manchester Withington
John Leech will take his campaign to improve access to allotments in south Manchester to the House of Commons this week, having secured a debate on the issue, which is scheduled for Wednesday.
John Leech has been working with local Lib Dem councillors to provide extra allotments for local residents
Mr Leech has been leading calls for Manchester City Council to reopen Parrs Wood allotments and stop the installation of a flood channel through Bradley Fold allotments. He also recently scored a great success, having received assurances that his suggestion of extending Southern Allotments has been adopted by the council.
He now he hopes to challenge the Government on its failure to offer guidance to local authorities on improving allotment provisions.
Mr Leech said:
"The Government's legislation urgently needs revisiting; although there is a duty on local authorities to increase the number of allotments where there is demand, the Government's lack of guidance means that this is not happening. As a result, councils like Manchester are failing local people on allotment provision."
"There is a clear demand for allotments in Greater Manchester; the waiting lists in some areas are several years long. We should be looking to reduce food miles and promote healthier living, and I am delighted that my suggestion to extend Southern Allotments has been taken on board."
"However, Labour's reluctance to reopen Parrs Wood allotments and the doubts surrounding the future of half of the plots at Bradley Fold threaten to scupper further advances on this front. This represents a real missed opportunity on the part of both the Government and the Council and I will be challenging the minister on this on Wednesday."
Notes to editors:
1) The Westminster Hall debate on the 'Provision of allotments by local authorities' will take place on Wednesday between 16.30 and 17.00.
2) John Leech has launched a 'Re-open our allotments' petition with Liberal Democrat councillors in the Manchester Withington constituency.
3) They have also secured £160,000 from 'Section 106 agreements', which will go towards benefiting local organisations, including Hough End, Southern and Albermarle allotments.
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