Westborough Allotments Self Help Association

Communal fruit on Plot 10

July 9th, 2008

In case you were not aware there is communal fruit available on plot 10.

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Plans affecting our site

July 9th, 2008

The two large oak trees near the lower car park are to be felled. This is because their roots have caused subsidence in houses in Westway.
The brand new fence which has been erected along the lower boundary between Broadacres and the cultivated part of the site is to be taken down and moved back so that it runs along the existing fence line between the houses and garages in Broadacres. The money to build this fence was provided by a grant from the Safer, Greener, Cleaner campaign at the request of the residents of Broadacres. Although this fence was not erected to protect plotholders from yobs – rather to contain them within the site – it has been effective in stopping the trespassing on site by strangers shortcutting through. This sometimes contained a yob element and always un-nerved the women plotholders along the lower path. Moving the fence back to the existing fence line will make it quite ineffective. Most yobs are proficient climbers and can easily use the flat garage roof tops and fences as a springboard. Apart from this there is the waste of money involved and the vexed question of who owns this strip of land!

Check out the plans on the GBC planning website http://www.guildford.gov.uk/DLDC_version_2/ – file number 08/P/01219. You might like to object!
A thorough Health and Safety audit of the site has been done at John’s request. We may be asked to make some minor changes on our plots. Please understand that these are for everyone’s benefit. We have 18 small children on site now (that I know of) – which is great. Now, more than ever, do families need allotments! Children are very inquisitive and parents can not keep them under observation every minute. None of us would like to think of one being hurt if we can help it. Nice drop of Wimbledon rain so good gardening!

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New Plot Holders and our New Warden!

March 8th, 2008

We have many newcomers on site. A warm welcome to them all. These are some:

Rachael and Biz and their families. Rachael and Biz share plot 69.
Glen and Claudia and three young sons on plot 5
Mary on plot 72
Mike and Jan and children on plot 101
Veronica on plot 108
Alan on plot 48
Jeurgen on plot 46
Chris on the lower half of plot 30

Please note that WASHA cannot be given phone numbers, email or ordinary addresses by Guildford Allotment Society or the warden because of the Data Protection Act. If you wish to be included on the WASHA distribution list (handy for warnings of trouble on site such as shed break-ins) or to have your phone number on the WASHA plot plan (handy if your site neighbours need to contact you), then you need to give me permission. My email is beverley_mussell@yahoo.co.uk or speak to me on site (scruffy pensioner on lower path with Australian accent) – ok it’s the pensioner and not the path. Nice to know you’re out there visiting the website – even though you’re picky about misplaced participal phrases!

Congratulations to John Steer on becoming our new warden. We wish you a speedy recovery from your knee operation John.

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Another vital planning consultation!

December 20th, 2007

No holiday season would not be complete without a vital planning consultation! The present one concerns the future of our site: housing/allotments or all allotments? There is a lot of research to do before you can figure out the pro allotment option.
David has done all this and here’s what you need to know.
It’s easiest to fill the form in online. The process is:
go to GBC website
click Planning and Building Control
click consultations
click site allocation issues
click online response form
Section 1
Do you have comments Yes
Site Reference number 40
Site address Aldershot Road Allotment Site, Westborough, Guildford
Should this site be allocated…….. Yes
Alternative use ……………………….No
Write your pro allotment comments
NEXT
Section 2
Additional sites No
NEXT
Section 3
Write your details
SUBMIT
This may save you (and anyone else participating) some time. Hard copy of the forms can be downloaded and passed to friends and neighbours but they need to be given the above information particularly the site reference number 40 and the site address; tick the first box Yes which signifies ‘allocated as all allotments’; next box tick No for ‘no alternatives’. I also have a supply of forms which I’m happy to distribute. There are more than 250 people on the waiting list for allotments and this number rises every week. The health benefits of allotments are well proven. We shouldn’t have to play this ‘consultation’ game but let’s give it our best shot. Closing date is 30th January 2008. Happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year!

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News from the Antarctic on The Explorer

November 23rd, 2007

For all those who know that our WASHA Chairman Paul is in the Antarctic on The Explorer: there are two ships and he is safe on the one that is still afloat.

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Extraordinary General Meeting (GAS)

October 25th, 2007

At an Extraordinary General Meeting of Guildford Allotment Society held on 21st September 2007, the following were elected to office: Jeanette Collings – Chairman Nicola King – Secretary Pauline Willgoose – Treasurer.

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Petition to Number 10 Downing Street

June 24th, 2007

The Westborough and Broadacres District Residents Association (WBDRA) has set up a petition to Number 10 Downing Street asking that the proposed development of 45 houses to be built on the 39 plots at the top of our site, be stopped.

It seems incredible that this development has not been removed from the Local Development Framework when the number of people waiting for allotments in Guildford is approaching two hundred and the benefits of allotmenting in promoting health and good community relations is proven.

Here’s the web address for the petition:

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/allotmentsgfd

Allotments are subject to GBC recreation policy http://www.guildford.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/3B7EF53E-32AF-4D75-83E0-12377550B029/0/WS_CH13.pdf.

Guildford has poor provision of recreational facilities, especially so in North Guildford where the high population density requires more local facilities. This is by the council’s own admission – their statistics, their standards and government standards. Westborough has a shortfall of 15.47ha; Stoughton 17.5 ha; Stoke 13.08ha. A hectare is 100m x 100m and is approx the size of a full size football pitch. However a football pitch requires space around the edges a pavilion etc., and so only a junior pitch can fit on 1.66ha at Cardwell’s Keep, and 4 pitches of different sizes on 5ha at Stoughton Rec. So Westborough has a deficit of the equivalent of 10 football pitches.

The council has a policy to resist the loss of open space.

Policy R5

PROTECTION OF OPEN SPACE

Proposals for development on open space will only be allowed if there is no material harm to the character and visual amenity; and

The proposed development is ancillary to the open use of the site; or
The proposed development enhances the recreational value of the site; or
Where equivalent provision is made nearby; or
Where there will continue to be adequate open space in the locality; or
In the case of school playing fields, the proposed new development meets a legitimate educational need that is appropriately met on the site.

Building 45 houses on the top third of this statutory allotment site directly contravenes Points 1 and 2.

On point 3, it depends entirely how officers define ‘nearby’. If this already exists, or can be made available, then it should be made available NOW to redress the stated shortfall.

Officers cannot argue for point 4, because they have already demonstrated there is a massive shortfall of all types of open space in North Guildford.

If officers argue the allotments are underused, then it should consider investing in changing the recreational use rather than allow housing development. Even if the recreational use is changed, there would still remain the same shortfall of open space.

In summary, the council should not allow development of the Aldershot Allotments unless it can find nearby equivalent provision for existing users. As we already have a massive shortfall in North Guildford, any land available should be turned into recreational open space to redress the existing massive shortfall.

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WASHA AGM is on Saturday 19th May 2007

May 6th, 2007

WASHA AGM is on Saturday 19th May in St Mary’s Church Hall, Aldershot Road. Doors open at 9am for those who want to read the correspondence of the year. Meeting starts at 9.30am. Formalities will be brief. Come along and hear what’s happening to/on our site!

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