Anger over plan to grow allotments on to next-door field

A BID to extend allotments over a recreation ground have come under fire.
Maureen Scott at Stroud Green Allotment
s, right, and the field, leftMaureen Scott at Stroud Green Allotment
s, right, and the field, left
Maureen Scott at Stroud Green Allotment s, right, and the field, left

Proposals to expand Stroud Green allotments in Stubbington were started in May with the initial consultation running to till late June.

There are currently 50 occupied plots on the site but there is another 77 residents on the allotment waiting list.

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But a large number of residents are unhappy with the council’s proposed location of the additional allotments.

The site on the outskirts of Stubbington and the land was originally given by a local ‘for the use of local residents in perpetuity’ with half the land used for allotments and the other half for the recreation ground.

Maureen Scott, of Stroud Green Lane, said: ‘We have a network of local people that objected to the council’s proposals and have a small action team co-ordinating our meetings and work.

‘We submitted many objection letters and comments to the online survey as well as a petition of 295 signatures.

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‘If there is a waiting list for allotments in this area it should not be satisfied by the loss of any of the recreation ground.

‘We are amazed that any local authority would countenance such a suggestion.’

Zoe Bentley, another Stroud Green Lane resident said: ‘The fact that we had 295 people against the proposal gives an indication of the strength of feeling and are therefore hopeful that the council will consider the other sites.’

A number of alternative sites in the Stubbington were previously proposed including land near Gosport Road which residents were told can no longer be used as it will be used for the plant equipment for the Stubbington bypass.

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The council is now accepting further comments until July 31 and these will be considered at the decision meeting in September.

Executive member for streetscene, Councillor Tiffany Harper, said: ‘I was pleased to see so many people take part in this consultation. We want to make sure we explore the feasibility of alternative allotment sites before deciding on any proposal. We want to give people more time to have their say.’

There is an online survey at fareham.gov.uk/consultations by [email protected]

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