PledgeBank London (change)
I’ll do it, but only if you’ll help

Pledge “HackneyAllotment”

"I will petition Hackney council to create more allotments but only if 5 other local people will do the same."

— Christopher Osborne, Landless in Stamford Hill (contact)

Deadline to sign up by: 30^th September 2008
7 people signed up (2 over target)

Country: United Kingdom
Place: Hackney (view map)

More details
Hackney is home to around 175 allotments where people can grow their own vegetables. At the moment there are over 250 people on the waiting list, which has been temporarily closed. Hackney Allotment Society estimate waiting times at around 3 to 4 years.

If six people petition a local council to provide more allotment space then they are legally obliged to find it.

From Hugh's website:
"Under the 1908 Small Holdings and Allotments Act, where there is demand, it is the duty of the local authority to provide residents, registered on the electoral roll, with allotment space. The Act even gives local authorities the power to compulsorily acquire land for allotments, if they don't have sufficient already."

Comments on this pledge

• Apparently the Small Holdings Act only applies to areas outside London. But I will still lobby the council for more allotments if you do too.
  Christopher Osborne, 3 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• I'm keen to do this, but I believe that Hackney council have exemption from this law because of its inner city location. Any idea whether this is the case?
  Tom Taylor, 2 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Oh, sorry, just realised you'd already spotted that!
  
  I'll still do this though.
  Tom Taylor, 2 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• i heard this rumour (my mom watched it on tv. hugh fearnley whittingwhatsit) that if twenty local people band together and go to the council under some old law, they are obliged to gift them a plot of land. it might be a howler of a plot, but they are obliged to give them something. i tried to follow this lead and post something on hfw's website but to no avail (the sign in foxed me). has anyone else heard of it, and if so, should we give it a go?
  best, tan
  tanis taylor, 2 months ago. Abusive? Report it!