Express & Star

Walsall allotment plots will stay after legal ruling

A BID to remove allotment plots with the aim of improving access for nearby residents has been lost following a long-running saga.

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Walsall Council had approved its own plan to reduce the size of its allotment site off Borneo Street by eight plots.

It was drawn up by officers in a bid to create an improved access to garages for people living on the road.

The council also proposed enhancing facilities at the allotment site and creating more plots at its Clayhanger Street allotment site to compensate the loss of patches.

But the Secretary of State for the Department for Communities and Local Government ruled the council’s plan was wrong. It said the council had not done enough to ensure those allotment holders who would lose land would be given alternatives.

Walsall Council is ‘considering its options’ in light of the ruling.

Former St Matthew’s ward councillor Mohammed Arif, who worked with residents and allotment owners to try to resolve the situation, said he was ‘very disappointed’ with the decision, which he called ‘baffling’.

Mr Arif said: “As a St. Matthew’s councillor I campaigned for access for Borneo Street residents for 12 years and later supported this proposed scheme. Naturally, I am extremely disappointed for Borneo Street residents as the proposed scheme made sense. The loss of allotment land was very little to re-provide access for three to four households.

“To compensate for this loss additional land at Clayhanger and improved facilities for Borneo Street allotment users was proposed.

“The officials in the department for communities and local government have got this decision wrong and has gone against the wishes of the residents, Walsall Cabinet and Walsall Planning Committee.”

In a letter to the council, Dave Jones, senior planning manager at the SCLG, said: “The Secretary of State considers that the statutory criteria have not been satisfied as the allotment holders who will see the size of their plots reduced to accommodate the new shared access have not been offered alternative provision by the council. While the Secretary of State accepts the physical constraints preventing any extension to the Borneo Street Allotment site, he notes there are other sites in the surrounding area and that 370.5 sq.m of additional allotment land will be established at the Clayhanger Lane Allotment Gardens, Clayhanger Lane, Walsall.”

Kate Goodall, spokeswoman for the council, said: “We are in receipt of the decision and are now considering our options.”