Allotments No 8 Funding (Update 2 26 October 2011)

Community Infrastructure Levy:     In the last Post (No 7) we looked at the posssible impact of the community infrastructure levy (CIL) as a possible source of cash for new allotments (or even for extending or improving exsting sites). Alternatives are available.

Planning Obligations:     A recent on-line report cited planning obligations as have been used to contribute in some way towards allotments at Manor Fields, Billinghurst (see link).  


http://www.wscountytimes.co.uk/news/local/150_homes_approved_for_billingshurst_1_3177691

Electricity Generation:   A wind turbine generator (WTG) is the latest funding idea I have seen for allotmenteers. In this case it is suggested that the group install the WTG, receiving a capital contribution from the local authority. It is likely that surplus energy would be bought by the National Grid and the funds raised would be used to pay for such items as security cameras, metered water.

Lottery Funding: Twelve allotments at Meir are being partly funded by Big Lottery Fund. (See link:
 http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Allotments-plan-rubbish-dump-site/story-13655799-detail/story.html )

Ward Funding: Another tranche of capital for the Meir allotments was contributed by the Ward Councillors. I had heard of Ward funds but this is the first report which has come to my notice. (See above Link.) 

Capital Fund:  The Capital Fund of London is offering "landed" community groups (in any London Borough) a sum of £750 to start up allotments.

LEADER Grants:  The European Agricultural Fund's programmes under the LEADER "banner"offers financial grants to rural community groups. Projects have included support for developing allotments. [See Post No 9.]
[Please note LEADER = Liaison Entre Action de Developpement del'Economie Rurale.]

Allotments 7 Planning and Allotments - Community Infrastructure Levy and Localism Act 2011 (Update No 1 - 26 November 2011)

Allotments go back to very early times when, for example, the Commissioners of an enclosure of common land may have made an "allotment" of land for the dispossessed. Today things are done differently. For instance, if some of the residents of a parish demand allotment plots (politely of course) and the Parish Council offers vacant plots on one of its sites (if any). If not, the law requires the Parish Council to meet the demand (at least in theory).


The community infrastructure levy (CIL) has sharpened the focus on such provision. Parish councils up and down the land must be jumping for joy at the prospect of getting some of locally generated CIL for their "neighbourhood". We must of course await the regulations to the Localism Act 2011 (which received Royal Asset on 15th November 2011). The Regulations are, hopefully, due out next year,


As an example (of a non-parish council), Norwich City Council appears to be using some expected CIL money for allotments. Whilst planning for 3,000 new homes, they estimate that 500 plots for allotments will be required on their existing 17 sites of about 1,500 plots (see link below).


That is the start of the story!


http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/sporting_wish_list_for_norwich_revealed_1_1105956

Another featutre of the localism Act 2011 is the so-called list of land of community value. Will any district council include allotments on its list?