Allotments should go to those willing to use them

Aug 27 2009 by Dan Owen, North Wales Weekly News

IN a time when we are being asked to look after our environment and become more self sufficient for example growing our own produce, it makes my blood boil.

After the need for more people to be encouraged to grow their own vegetables and fruit was highlighted it enraged me as here I am a council tenant living in the town walls in Conwy above a shop in a council flat having had my name down on the allotments waiting list for at least 5 years.

This is not the reason that I am infuriated, there are several !

After doing my own research I have found there to be people with allotments that do not use them and leave them to overgrow.

Being an ex chef and loving fresh produce I would ideally love to grow my own fruit and vegetables and would take pride in an allotment

Then I went on to find out how long people had waited and was shocked when one couple told me they had only waited about a year and a half and here I am at least 5 years down the line still waiting?

So I approached my local councillor and asked if this matter could be addressed in the chambers only to be told that they couldn't promise me.

Surely if you have someone who is willing and able to use the allotment to its full potential and in the process be self sufficient thus helping the environment and my carbon footprint then we should be encouraged to do so, but instead this council would rather see allotments sitting there and the system being abused by greedy people who already have their own gardens.

William Windsor

Conwy