Allotmentplan goes tocommunitymeeting

PLANS for a new allotment at Totley Hall Farm in Sheffield are set to be put to the community at a meeting this week.

The allotment would have 70 plots, to provide space for more than 80 people from Dore and Totley who have already expressed an interest in the site.

In Sheffield there are 2,300 people on the waiting list for an allotment, and the South West Assembly area – in which Dore and Totley falls – has the longest waiting list of any area in the city.

The proposed allotment off Mickley Lane is set to go before the South West Assembly on Thursday, prior to the proposals being submitted to councillors.

In a report set to go before that meeting, Sheffield Council’s community services manager, Chris Heeley, says: “The pressure to provide a new site in Dore and Totley has come from the local community and the Sheffield Allotment Federation for a number of years.

“The South West Assembly has also committed up to 5,000 for any highways work that may be needed as a result of the proposal, such as dropped curbs and improving sightlines.

“During October 2009 the demand for allotments should they be provided at Mickley Lane was assessed. All those that were on the waiting lists for Francis Field and Vicarage Lane were written to.

“At that time there were 100 people on these waiting lists and 80 people responded stating that they would like to take a plot at Mickley Lane should they be provided. This clearly indicated a demand for the project.”

A consultation has been carried out with about 400 properties close to the proposed site and just 14 responses have been received.

Those against the allotment say that it could impact on the rural landscape and also result in anti-social behaviour and parking problems in the area.

Mr Heeley added: “There is an understanding of the concerns of some residents but a belief that many of these can be addressed in the design of the site.”

Thursday’s meeting will begin at 7pm at Bents Green Methodist Church in Ringinglow Road.